Morton Harold Kinzler

1925 - 2018
KINZLER-Morton Harold, 93, passed away peacefully at his residence in Palm Beach, Florida, on June 10th after a short illness. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 16 years, Ruth, his two children by a previous marriage, Alexander (Noreen) of Honolulu, and Cynthia White (Brian) of Vancouver Island, BC, and grandchildren Sean, Kevin, and Timothy Kinzler, and David and Rachel Grillot. Morton was predeceased by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins, including his uncle and lifelong friend, Moe Frankel, and his three closest friends, J.S. Barnwell, Jr., Dr. R. David Sudarsky, and Alan D. Hunter. Morton graduated from New York University in 1943 at age 18, with a degree in chemistry, Phi Beta Kappa, despite never having learned how to use a slide rule. He served in World War II as a chemist and glass-blowing expert on the Manhattan Project in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. After the war, he received his law degree from Columbia Law School, where he was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar. He remained a lifelong friend of Dean William C. Warren of Columbia with whom he collaborated on a taxation textbook. Morton practiced law briefly, then moved to Shreveport, Louisiana in 1953 to work for R. S. Barnwell, Sr. and Jr. of the Barnwell Drilling Company. Morton was a founder of Barnwell Industries, Inc., which was Morton's passion for 64 years. He rose to the offices of President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board. He retired as CEO in 2016, and as Chairman in September of 2017. Morton was known as a tough taskmaster, who led by example and inspired hard work and loyalty in those around him. He loved literature, and had a quote for every occasion, with an affinity for Kipling and Samuel Johnson. He had a passion for film, and never tired of watching Sir Alec Guinness in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. He loved travel, fine food, good wine, and visiting Michelin three-star restaurants. He was a member of the Harmonie Club for over 40 years. He will be remembered by those who knew him as a man of principle, shrewd business acumen and good humor. Private services were held. The family requests donations in his memory be made to any of three organizations he championed: Amit, Judicial Watch and Commentary Magazine.