Leonard K. Firestone ’31

Leonard Firestone died at home in Pebble Beach, Calif., Dec. 24, 1996, of respiratory failure. He was 89.

At The Hill School, where he prepared, and at Princeton, he was active in golf and polo. Upon graduation he was employed in sales positions by Firestone Tire & Rubber Co., founded by his father in Akron, Ohio. In 1932, he married Polly Curtis, by whom he had three children. Polly died in 1965. In 1935, Len was appointed sales manager and in 1939 became a director of Firestone. He was named president of Firestone Aviation Products Co. in 1941. He was commissioned in the Navy as a lieutenant, but was assigned to inactive status to become president of Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. of California in 1943.

Leonard was appointed U.S. ambassador to Belgium by Pres. Nixon and was reappointed by Pres. Ford. He was a generous contributor to charities and served as president of the trustees of the U. of Southern California and president of the World Affairs Council of L.A. He was a board member of several organizations.

He is survived by his second wife, Caroline Hudson Firestone, his sons, A. Brooks '58 (now a member of the California State Assembly) and Kimball, a daughter, Lendy Brown, 10 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. To them, the class extends its condolences.

The Class of 1931