In Memoriam: Former Life Trustee
H. Kenneth Ward '52, 1929-2011

Former Life Trustee H. Kenneth Ward '52 died Sunday, Sept. 25, surrounded by family and loved ones in his Pasadena home. He was 82 years old.
Ward and his wife, Joan, were generous and longtime supporters of the College. In addition to funding the Mr. and Mrs. H. Kenneth Ward Scholarship, Ward served as president of the Claremont McKenna College Alumni Association from 1961-62 and was a recipient of the Jack L. Stark '57 Distinguished Service Award for outstanding service to the College, the Alumni Association, and the alumni of CMC.
A successful businessman who studied accounting during his time at Claremont McKenna, he served as president of several businesses including Elixir Industries, Ward & Son, Seaward Products, Forward Design, and most recently Ambassador Travel Inc.
Ward was first appointed to the Board of Trustees as en ex-officio member when he was CMCAA president in 1961. He then was appointed an Alumnus Trustee in 1967, and became a regular Trustee in 1972. He served as a Life Trustee from 1997 until his withdrawal from the Board in 2007 for health-related issues. In a letter to fellow CMC Trustee and chairman Harry McMahon that year, Ward relayed his remorse for having to limit his involvement at his alma mater and noted: "I've served with four presidents and have seen many changes at the College."
Among his many other accomplishments and services to CMC, Ward was a founder of the New Students Party, hosted annually by the Alumni Association. In fact, he volunteered his father's large home as the venue for the first such party, recalls friend and fellow Trustee Gene Wolver '51. Ward was Wolver's successor as chairman of the Trustees Buildings and Grounds Committee, and remained active on the committee for about two decades.
Ward's daughter, Joanne Ward Turner (SCR '76) says her father's affinity for Claremont McKenna, demonstrated by his generous giving and service for more than four decades, was based primarily on two things: "He was grateful for the education that he received at the College," she said. "And it was also the place that allowed him to meet my mom, who was a student at Scripps. He married the love of his life. They were married for 60 years."
Her mother, an art student at the time of their courtship, would ultimately become a truly gifted interior designer and remodeler. "She could turn a house needing help, but one with good bones, into a stunning and comfortable home. She did it with every one of the eight homes they owned during their life together." She says her parents were extremely proud when she followed in their 5-C footsteps and enrolled at Scripps College in the early 1970s. Her father also, she says, found it extremely gratifying to have established a scholarship at CMC. "He took great pride in furthering the education of others," said Ward Turner.
"Ken was a wonderful man and a credit to CMC," says past CMCAA president Bob McCrary '59. Added Lloyd J. "Jerry" McHaley '59, also a CMCAA past president: "He was a great person to know and work with over the years. I will always remember him with the best of thoughts."
Reed Mohney '48, who also served as a president of the Alumni Association (1964-65), called Ward a "good man, a good alumnus, and a good supporter of CMC.
"I'm most sorry to lose a friend," he added.
Ward is survived by his wife, Joan, his daughter, Joanne Ward Turner, sons Michael and Thomas Ward, and five grandchildren.
A tribute to Ken Ward's life will be held Saturday, December 3, 2011, at 2:00 p.m., at the Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum, 385 E. Eighth Street, Claremont McKenna College, Claremont, California.
For directions to and contact information for the Athenaeum, log on to http://www.claremontmckenna.edu/mmca/info_location.php. Parking is available on the street or in the Bauer parking lot.
No flowers, please. If you'd like to show your appreciation, please send a contribution to the Mr. and Mrs. H. Kenneth Ward Scholarship Fund at Claremont McKenna College, 400 North Claremont Boulevard, Claremont, CA 91711, or online at https://online.cmc.edu/NetCommunity/SSLPage.aspx?&pid=184 (please write "Ward Scholarship in memory of Ken Ward" on the check memo line or in the online comment box).