Robert D. Kennedy (November 8, 1932 – April 3, 2021) was an American businessman who served as president, CEO, and chairman of Union Carbide.
Robert D. Kennedy | |
|---|---|
 Photograph of Kennedy, March 2004 | |
| CEO of Union Carbide | |
| In office 1986–1995 | |
| Preceded by | Alec Flamm |
| Succeeded by | William H. Joyce |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 8, 1932 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| Died | April 3, 2021 (aged 88) New Canaan, Connecticut |
| Spouse |
Sally Duff (after 1956) |
| Education | New Hampton School |
| Alma mater | Cornell University |
Early life edit
Kennedy was born on November 8, 1932, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the youngest of four sons born to Lois (née Smith) Kennedy and T. Reed Kennedy.[1]
He attended New Hampton School in New Hampton, New Hampshire, graduating with the class of 1950. He then attended Cornell University, where he received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 1955 and was elected into the Sphinx Head Society.[2]
Career edit
After graduating from Cornell, Kennedy joined Union Carbide as a trainee at the division's Edgewater Research Laboratory in Cleveland, Ohio.[3] In 1977 Kennedy became president of the Linde division of the company and built a $29 million industrial gases complex in Niagara Falls, New York.[4] He was elected a senior vice president in 1981, and an executive vice president in 1982.[2]
In July 1985, Kennedy and Heinn F. Tomfohrde III, both executive vice presidents, were appointed as co-presidents of Union Carbide, sharing the responsibilities of Alec Flamm, the former president and chief operating officer who became vice chairman.[5] Kennedy became the head of Carbide's plastics and chemicals businesses, while Tomfohrde, became head of its industrial products and services businesses.[6]
In March 1986, he became chief executive officer and,[7] in December 1986, chairman, succeeding Warren M. Anderson in both roles.[8][9] Under Kennedy's tenure, "the company trimmed its operations to focus on petrochemicals, its core operations."[10] In 1990, he was succeeded as president by H. William Lichtenberger, president of Carbide's chemicals and plastics unit.[11] Kennedy continued as chairman and chief executive.[11]
He retired as chief executive in 1995 and was succeeded by William H. Joyce, chief operating officer and president since 1993.[12] Kennedy continued as chairman until he fully retired from the company on December 31, 1995.[12][13] He also served as a director of Kmart Corporation, Lion Ore Mining International Ltd., Sunoco, Inc., and Union Camp Corporation.[2]
Personal life edit
On January 28, 1956, Kennedy married Sally Duff. Together, they were the parents of Robert B. Kennedy, Thomas Kennedy, Kathleen Kennedy and Melissa (née Kennedy) Jurick.[1]
Kennedy died on April 3, 2021, at his home in New Canaan, Connecticut.[1]
References edit
- ^ a b c "Robert Kennedy Obituary (1932-2021)". Legacy.com. Danbury News Times. April 9, 2021. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
- ^ a b c "Robert Kennedy '50: Remembering a Beloved Leader, Friend, and Alumnus". today.newhampton.org. New Hampton School. 9 April 2021. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
- ^ Peaff, George (9 October 1995). "SCI Medalist Robert Kennedy Reflects On A Lifetime In The Chemical Industry". Chemical & Engineering News Archive. 73 (41): 15. doi:10.1021/cen-v073n041.p015. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
- ^ "Union Carbide Plans Niagara Falls Plant". The New York Times. 16 May 1981. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
- ^ "BUSINESS PEOPLE; Carbide Vice Chairman Is Retiring Tomorrow". The New York Times. 28 February 1986. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
- ^ "BUSINESS PEOPLE; Management Shifts For Union Carbide". The New York Times. 31 July 1985. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
- ^ "BUSINESS PEOPLE; New Top Officer Named by Carbide". The New York Times. 27 March 1986. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
- ^ "COMPANY NEWS; Carbide to Retain Core Businesses". The New York Times. 1 March 1990. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
- ^ "Carbide's Chief Also Chairman". The New York Times. 1 December 1986. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
- ^ Jones, Dow (29 December 1995). "COMPANY NEWS; CHIEF EXECUTIVE ADDS CHAIRMAN'S TITLE AT UNION CARBIDE". The New York Times. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
- ^ a b Cuff, Daniel F. (24 May 1990). "BUSINESS PEOPLE; President Is Appointed At Revamped Carbide". The New York Times. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
- ^ a b News, Bloomberg (23 February 1995). "COMPANY NEWS; NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE IS NAMED AT UNION CARBIDE". The New York Times. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
{{cite news}}:|last1=has generic name (help) - ^ Chase Industries Appoints Robert D. Kennedy to Board
External links edit
- Film: Hunting the Corporate Killers (transcript)