Wilson K. Kinkead ’58

Bear died of cancer Oct. 31, 2014, at his home in Saratoga, Calif.

He came to Princeton from the Haverford School and was a member of Campus Club. As a chemical engineering major, Bear was editor of the Princeton Engineer and secretary of the engineering council. His senior-year roommates were Robin Ledwith, Joe Roxe, and Lud Clark.

Following graduation, Bear earned a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1965. He met his wife-to-be, Virginia (“Ginny”) Putnam, at Robin Ledwith’s wedding, and they were married for 50 years.

Bear spent his career in the aerospace business, largely with General Electric in the Philadelphia area. He worked in a variety of capacities and on several different systems. After 30 years at GE, he had the opportunity to move to California with Lockheed Martin, and was instrumental as a project manager for the DSCS III satellite program.

As a boy he went to camp in Maine, and later in life, he often returned with his family, climbing Mount Katahdin, canoeing the Allagash and St. John rivers, and visiting friends.

Predeceased by Ginny, he is survived by their children, Peter, Steven, and Susan; and grandchildren Sarah, Alexander, Phoebe, and Matthew. To them all, the class extends sincere condolences.