Richard Alan Kaiser

It is with a great deal of sadness that we report the death of Richard A. Kaiser on November 17, 2008. A native of Newburgh, NY, Rich graduated from the Newburgh Free Academy, where he was "leader" of the band, a National Merit Scholar, a debater, and member of the golf team. At Dartmouth Rich continued his involvement in the Band and joined Zeta Psi fraternity and the JLC. Rich entered the Dartmouth Medical School our senior year, graduating in 1967, and completing his medical degree at the Harvard Medical School in 1969. Beginning in 1971, he served for two and a half years in the United States Navy, in which he rose to the rank of Lieutenant Commander aboard the nuclear submarine USS Will Rogers. Following residency at the Beth Israel Hospital in Boston, Rich established a practice in general and pediatric surgery based in Montclair, NJ, from which he retired in 2004.

An avid golfer, Rich was also an active alumnus, serving as a Class Officer, a District Enrollment Director, and the perpetual organizer of our '66 reunion golf tournaments, which he had the habit of winning. His hobbies included German literature and contract bridge. Many of us will remember his sense of humor, his hearty laugh, and great stories, particularly the difficulty of raising money from other doctors. His conversational English had clearly been affected by his time in the Navy!

He is survived by his wife of forty years, Debbie, a daughter Hilary K. Grove '97 and her husband Geoffrey Grove, son David Kaiser '93 and his wife Tracy Gleason, brother Samuel, and grandchildren Ellery and Toby Gleason-Kaiser. The family can be contacted at 44 Ferris Drive, West Orange, NJ 07052-2040.

Funeral services were held at Temple Sholom of West Essex in Cedar Grove, NJ. Memorial donations may be made to the Dartmouth College Fund, c/o Gift Recording Office, 6066 Development Office, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755-3555.