Kendrick B. Melrose ’62

Ken died May 3, 2020.  

He hailed originally from Orlando, Fla. At Princeton Ken majored in mathematics, was a sprinter all four years on the track team, an ardent member of Tiger Inn, and active in Orange Key. He roomed in the Lockhart Lair with Ed Weihenmayer. After graduating with honors from Princeton, he earned a master’s degree in electrical engineering at MIT and later an MBA at the University of Chicago.  

Ken spent the bulk of his business career at the Toro Co., taking the helm of that organization as president in 1981 and turning it into a major success, continuing until his retirement in 2006. Post Toro, he formed an LLC called Leading by Serving that enabled him to address leadership, culture, and ethics in the business world. His extensive involvement and support of Christian Union made possible the acquisition of its headquarters center in Princeton. For a number of years, he funded a course on Christian ethics in business on campus. Ken loved whitewater rafting and spending time with his children and grandchildren.  

The class extends its condolences to his son, Rob ’92; daughters Kendra ’02 and Lia; and partner Kaye O’Leary.