HAMILTON KEAN

KEAN--Hamilton Fish,

died peacefully at home on April 7, 2016, at the age of 91. A graduate of St. Bernard's School, St. Mark's School, Princeton University, and Columbia Law School, Ham, as all his friends called him, was a lifelong New Yorker who led a rich and varied life that centered around his passions for learning, music, the environment, and his family. A proud Veteran of World War II, he finished his service as a second lieutenant and after the war completed his college and legal education. While Ham practiced law for several years, the majority of his professional life was dedicated to the causes he cared deeply about. Most prominent among these was the preservation of the environment. One of the earliest members of the board of Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Ham taught environmental law courses at both the New York University School of Law and the State University of New York. He was an honorary trustee of NRDC at his death. Mental health and children's well-being were also issues important to Ham and he served for 50 years on the Board of Fountain House, eventually becoming Board President. A state leader for mental health advocates, he was a member of New York's Advisory Council on Mental Health and the Mental Health Services Council. In addition, Ham became involved in the Citizens' Committee for Children, eventually becoming Chair of that board as well. At his death, he was an honorary director of Action for Children. Even past 90, he was still active in civic life. He served on the board of Citizens for Global Solutions, eventually becoming its Chairman. At his death, he was the Chairman of a think tank called Center for War/Peace Studies. In addition to his dedication to the causes about which he was most passionate, his friends and family will remember his wonderful enthusiasm for musical theater and opera, his delight in history and poetry, his gentle humor and his deep generosity to all in need. He is survived by Edith W. Kean, his beloved wife of 27 years, and by Leslie, Lisa and Lewis, his children with his first wife, Ellen Garrison. His son, Garry, died in 2013. Ham is survived as well by five siblings, and six grandchildren: Eliza, Sam, and Henry Douglas; Nicolas and Simon Kean; and Paul McKim. He also leaves three step-children, and five step-grandchildren, by whom he was known affectionately as Hampa. A memorial service will be held at the Church of the Holy Trinity at 316 East 88th St., New York City, on April 30 at 11:00am.