George H. Kidder

George Howell Kidder, 84, a life-long resident of Greater Boston with deep roots in the City’s legal, cultural, religious and educational communities, passed away at his home in Concord on August 20, 2009 after a brief illness. Raised in Concord, he attended St. Mark’s School in Southborough and graduated from Tufts University (Naval ROTC) with a degree in Engineering in 1945.

Mr. Kidder served on the U.S.S. Pasadena during World War II. Following his service in the U.S. Navy, he attended Harvard Law School from which he received a JD in 1950. Upon graduation from law school, Mr. Kidder joined the Boston law firm of Hemenway & Barnes LLP where he was a partner for more than 40 years and where he continued to work as counsel until 2007. Mr. Kidder took a leave of absence from the firm to serve in the Office of the General Counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency during the Korean War.

While at Hemenway & Barnes, Mr. Kidder led an extremely successful career as a lawyer and fiduciary, valued for his sage advice and keen moral bearing. Mr. Kidder served as Chancellor of the Massachusetts Episcopal Diocese for twenty years and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from the Episcopal Divinity School in 1987. Mr. Kidder’s personal and professional attributes also made him highly sought after as a trustee by a wide range of charitable, civic and educational institutions. Mr. Kidder served as a Trustee for the Boston Symphony Orchestra, (1977-1994, President 1987-1994); Boston Children’s Hospital, 1982-1997, Chairman 1992-1997); WGBH Educational Foundation (1987-1994, 1998-2008); Episcopal Divinity School (1967-1986, 1998-2008, President 1977-1986); Wellesley College (1962-1980); St. Mark’s School (1959-1984, President 1974-1984); Concord Academy (1963-1978, President 1971-1978); Fenn School (1956-1977, President 1960-1973); Controlled Risk Insurance Company, Ltd (1988-1999, Chairman 1991-1999; Risk Management Foundation of the Harvard Medical Institutions (1991-1999, Chairman 1991-1999); Harvard Medical Center (1989-1997); Harvard Medical School, Division of Sleep Medicine (1999-2006, Chairman 1999-2006); Dean’s Advisory Board; Harvard Law School (2001-2007); Boston Legal Aid Society and Greater Boston Legal Services (1961-1987).

Mr. Kidder’s service as President of The Boston Symphony Orchestra was noted by his close friend, Conductor John Williams who, upon learning of Mr. Kidder’s passing shared these thoughts:
George Kidder’s passing marks the end of an illustrious chapter in the history of our beloved Boston Symphony Orchestra. The years in which he guided the orchestra as president, were marked by his grace and wisdom, and through his contribution to the City of Boston, to music and his visionary expansion of Tanglewood, he leaves a legacy unlikely to be surpassed. He will be greatly missed.

Mr. Kidder was also an active member of the bar and other professional associations, serving as a Member of the American Law Institute and the American Bar Foundation; a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and a Member of its Board of Regents from 1987-1993; a Member of the International Academy of Estate and Trust Law and a Member of its Executive Council from 1987-1990 and Vice President for the Americas from 1993-1999.

Mr. Kidder also served as a Director of State Street Boston Corporation and State Street Bank and Trust Company from 1971-1994.

Mr. Kidder is survived by his wife of 14 years, Nancy, six children, Susan of Mill Valley, CA, George and his wife Katherine of Charlottesville, VA, Stephen and his wife Judith Malone of Belmont, MA, Priscilla Blevins and her husband Field of Durango, CO, Timothy and his wife Lindsey of Manhattan Beach, CA and Peter and his wife Lynn of Palo Alto, CA. He is also survived by his stepchildren, Charles Collins and his wife, Carla, Peter Collins and his wife Ruth and Ann Doherty and her husband Evan. Mr. Kidder is also survived by 17 grandchildren. Mr. Kidder was twice widowed, his wife Ellen (Warren) passed away in 1956 and his wife Priscilla (Hunnewell) passed away in 1993.

MEMORIAL SERVICE
Saturday - September 26, 2009 - 3:30 p.m.
Cathedral of St. Paul
138 Tremont St.
Boston, MA 02111
617-482-5800
www.stpaulboston.org

GIFTS IN HIS NAME MAY BE MADE TO:
Priscilla H. Kidder Fund at the Boston Symphony Orchestra
Symphony Hall
301 Massachusetts Ave.
Boston, MA 02115
www.bso.org
~OR~
Childrens Hospital, Boston
c/o Phyllis Simpkins
Childrens Hospital Trust
1 Autumn Street
Boston, MA 02215
www.childrenshospital.org

OBITUARY - BOSTON GLOBE
Friday - September 11, 2009
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/obituaries/articles/2009/09/11/george_kidder_attorney_helped_guide_and_strengthen_bso_84?mode=PF

Arrangements under the care of Glenn D. Burlamachi
CONCORD FUNERAL HOME
74 Belknap St.
Concord, MA 01742
978/369-3388

Proud to be family owned, operated and occupied