Graham Kimpton, 47, died suddenly on Monday, June 13th, after a long and courageous struggle with schizophrenia. Born on January 13, 1969, Graham grew up in San Francisco, where he attended Town School and The Urban School. After graduating from Rollins College, he returned to San Francisco and worked as a digital designer for Smoking Car Productions, where he helped to create the groundbreaking computer game The Last Express.

Graham moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts in 2001 to be near McLean Hospital, where he received treatment for much of his life. A tremendous natural athlete, he excelled at tennis, golf and skiing throughout his life, and was a daily jogger. He believed avidly in the importance of physical exercise for mental stability, and became instrumental in the creation of a gym for patients at McLean Hospital, choosing and arranging the athletic equipment himself. He was always keenly aware of the suffering of others and eager to help where he could. In San Francisco, he worked as a volunteer at Walden House and had been an active board member of the Mental Insight Foundation, whose focus is mental health issues, since 2002. Fellow board members relied heavily on his clearheaded analysis and empathetic decision-making.

Gentle, perceptive, and often hilarious, Graham was adored not only by his family, to whom he was close and devoted, but virtually everyone who knew him. Despite his consuming struggle with mental illness, he managed to create dozens of vast, sweeping and extraordinary artworks using 3D rendering programs and various combinations of wood, Plexiglas and resin. Several of his works are on display in public spaces at McLean Hospital. In 2012, he returned to San Francisco to be closer to his family, and was treated at Langley Porter, UCSF. At the time of his death he was completing a book about his art in which he also wrote frankly about the progression of his illness in hopes that his story might help others similarly afflicted.

His father, San Francisco hotelier Bill Kimpton, predeceased him in 2001. Graham will be missed acutely by his mother and stepfather, Kay and Sandy Walker; his father's widow, Isabelle Kimpton; his sisters, Marcia and Laura Kimpton and Jennifer Egan, stepsisters Jennifer and Lindsey Walker, nieces Drennon Kimpton and Kiley Dell'Amico, and nephews Emmanuel and Raoul Herskovits.

Graham's family has created a fund in his honor to help ensure the continuation and maintenance of the gym he helped to create at McLean Hospital, and to keep patient spaces there welcoming and vibrant. The fund will be administered by the Mental Insight Foundation, a 501(c)(3) corporation founded by Graham's father, Bill Kimpton, in 1997. Donations in honor and memory of Graham can be made to The Graham Kimpton Memorial Fund, c/o The Mental Insight Foundation, 538 Broadway, Ste. A, Sonoma CA 95476, (707) 938-8248.

Graham's family wishes to thank both Mclean Hospital and Langley Porter at UCSF for their years of care and devotion.

The family will hold a private memorial service later this summer.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Jun. 18 to Jul. 3, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Graham Kimpton

Sponsored by Green Street Mortuary.

12 Entries

Lisa Raymond Mealoy (CSHES '83)

January 17, 2024

I went to school at Convent when Graham was at Stuart Hall. He is one of the few boys who I clearly recall - handsome, charming and funny. He was kind to a shy girl who just thought he was amazing, and remembers him for that 40 (?!) or so years later.

Geoff Graber

March 23, 2023

I was so sad to hear of Graham´s death-your loss. I just discovered Jennifer´s works and it recalled my memories of my childhood friendship with Graham. We went to Town School together around 5th grade and Thacher together in 9th & 10th. We were similarly athletic, though Graham was the superior athlete. My memory of happily tying him for first place in the 50-yard dash at Town is helped by the visual of my dad´s super 8 footage on the projected screen in the living room in the old house.

Similarity I recall sitting with Graham at an assembly at the end of one of our years at Thacher watching a slide show of the school year and hearing some girls yell "Whoo!" when a photo of the two us appeared, my awareness that the screams were most likely for the very handsome, tall young man that Graham was becoming, and unlikely for me, still short and young. I also remember him having one of the first Macintosh computers and him showing me the games that he could play and the art that he could create, all in his dorm room at Thacher, adorned with a futon sofa bed.

We played soccer together, tennis at the California Club, video games at Pier 39, went to Squaw together, hung out at the Lyon Street house after school, did some silly stuff that boys do, and had lots of fun.

I didn´t stay in touch with Graham (or anyone) after I left Thacher. I wasn´t very happy there and wanted to put it behind me. I´m also not naturally sentimental. But now I´m filled with regret I didn´t stay in touch with Graham and be there to support him after his life became more difficult. I never experienced him as suffering from mental illness.

I know Jennifer didn´t explicitly write about Graham in her books but I couldn´t help feeling him in one of her characters in "The Goon Squad" and "The Candy House". I´m so grateful to have discovered those books and this site and can reflect on my friend and share these happy memories. (And, yes, follow ann aspect of the plot of "The Candy House" in so doing.)

I´m open to talking and sharing more memories of Graham if you would like to reach out. I´m on Twitter and LinkedIn.

My love to you all,
Geoff

Mary Newson

November 12, 2021

I was a year behind Graham in high school at Urban, and just found a photo from the graduation ceremony in GG Park in 1987. Very, very sorry for your loss.

June 28, 2019

I just learned today of Graham's passing and I am saddened to find out.

Graham and I were best friends when we attended Stuart Hall for Boys in San Francisco during the early 80's.

His father, Bill, was like a second father to me during those years and likewise for my father Rod, to Graham, simply because of the amount of time we spent together with them.

I still remember all of the mischief that we got into and there were some doozies!

That was a special time for me in my life - filled with adventure and activities....from Skiing up at Squaw Valley, playing tennis at the California Tennis Club, skateboarding through the city fearlessly, playing video games at arcades down in Fisherman's wharf, the countless nights that we stayed at each others homes and dozens of other memories.

I have tried to contact Graham a couple of times in the past few years, but was unable to find him on any social sites and today when I was looking again, I was shocked to see the predictive text that Google suggested when I typed his name in the search box, "Graham Kimpton" and the first choice Google spit out was, Graham Kimpton cause of death.

I will truly miss my childhood friend and would be happy to share some memories with his family.

My deepest sympathy and condolences to Kay, Laura and the rest of his family.

Respectfully,

John F. Rucker

PS- Laura, if you are interested - reach out to me on Facebook.

Jenny Egan

November 1, 2016

This is Graham's sister, Jenny. I just want to thank those of you who have left messages. They are so tremendously meaningful--they help us to know different aspects of our beloved Graham, whom we miss terribly. Thank you and warm wishes to all.

October 28, 2016

I just learned about Graham's passing, and I am truly saddened. Graham was the first person I met when I arrived at college, and he was a great friend throughout. Graham was that rare person who always got along with everyone he met, and everyone felt comfortable around Graham, regardless of their background. He was a constant pleasure to be around and had a phenomenal sense of humor. It is not at all surprising to read that he became an accomplished artist as he was one of those rare people who possess perspectives and sensitivities lacking in the rest of us. I'm sorry that this message is so late, but I just wanted those who read about Graham to know what a truly unique and wonderful person he was. The deepest condolences to all of his family and friends.
-Peter Beaudette

Maura Eggan

July 12, 2016

It was heartbreaking to read such a beautiful and heartfelt tribute to Graham. I remember him as an adorable toddler when Burt and I visited the house on Lyon decades ago. Graham persevered for so long and accomplished so much in spite of his illness. No doubt it was the unconditional love and support he received from his family that gave him strength and solace throughout his life. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Maura K. Eggan

Liz Brooking

June 27, 2016

I am so sorry for your loss and so grateful to you for acknowledging Graham's wonderful qualities and strengths, as well as his illness. I didn't know Graham but am heartened by the family's candor about his illness. McLean is an amazing place that I hold dear. I know it well as my brother was also treated there. He too lost his battle with schizophrenia - albeit decades ago. My deepest sympathy to you all.

Violette Toumey

June 24, 2016

I didn't know Graham, but I was deeply touched reading about him. That he was able to embrace so many good aspects of his life, despite his considerable obstacles is truly inspirational. A stellar person gone on to join the stars.

June 23, 2016

Graham's perseverance was admired by all who knew him. His legacy, in part, is the beautiful art he created and shared.
Helen

Cecy Korematsu

June 21, 2016

So sad to hear,
Despite his troubles he was a funny , gifted and talented man....
RIP Graham
Love, Cecy and Ken

Allison Speer

June 21, 2016

Graham was a star tennis player, had an excellent sense of humor and loved his family so very much. Graham will be missed and left us way to early. with fond memories, Ali Speer

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