Walter Beinecke, a trustee on College Hill since 1960, died Sunday, May 23, on Nantucket. In announcing the death to the Hamilton community, President Joan Hinde Stewart said the following:
"Walter's affiliation with life on College Hill spanned more than four decades. He first joined the Board in 1960, and, in 1962, became chair of the Hamilton Trustee Committee on Planning that was instrumental in the creation of Kirkland College. In an Alumni Review article commemorating the 30-year anniversary of Kirkland's first graduating class, Walter said, 'Kirkland gave the people who experienced it a more modern understanding of the role of women in society. That, in turn, made men a better part of our society and society better as a whole. For many who were exposed to Kirkland, it was a life-moving experience.'
"Walter has had and will continue to have a lasting impact on College Hill. In addition to the student activities village that bears his name, he provided financial and educational resources, including the pre-eminent collection of maps, manuscripts and other documents on the Lesser Antilles.
"Just as his energy and vision helped build and strengthen education on College Hill, Walter's prescience led to the revitalization of his beloved Nantucket. He received many accolades for his emphasis on preservation of the island, including a National Historic Preservation Award presented in 1989 by President Reagan.
"Walter was an executive with Sperry & Hutchinson, the S&H Green Stamp Company, which was founded by his grandfather in 1894 and managed by three generations of family members for 80 years. In 1971, the company's board established the Beinecke Scholarship Program, a national award that pays expenses toward a student's senior year and the first two years of graduate school. Three Hamilton students have won the prestigious award since 1999, including most recently Jaime Volker '05.
"Walter's vision and Kirkland's legacy have enriched Hamilton immeasurably. He will be missed."
In addition to his service as a life trustee, Walter Beinecke was the parent of one Kirkland College graduate and the grandparent of three Hamilton alumni.
