Richard King III ’53

Dick died peacefully June 9, 2006, from Lou Gehrig's disease in Corpus Christi, Texas.

He attended Exeter and received a degree in politics at Princeton and an MBA from Columbia. His journey was shaped by the closing legacy of the frontier, the ranching culture of South Texas, his family, his schooling in the Northeast, a lifelong career in banking, and his love of quail hunting and golf.

As a young boy, Dick experienced the old ranch traditions rarely practiced today, like gathering a remuda of hundreds of horses, dragging calves to the brand, and shipping cattle by railroad. He was at ease with many different people — from vaqueros to world leaders — and he treated them all the same. His energy was positive, enthusiastic, and full of humor. He loved the camaraderie, the bet, the stories, the jokes, watching dogs work a covey, and the good feeling of friends together.

Dick was preceded in death by his beloved wife, the former Florence Shinkle. He is survived by his children, Richard IV, whom we thank for writing this memorial, James, and Marie, and eight grandchildren. Pallbearers included Jervis Finney and Richard Calvert '54, and Dick's four-year college roommates, Jonathan Calvert, Hal Kelly, and Mack Harris.

The Class of 1953