KENNETH BRODY Obituary

BRODY--Kenneth D. Born June 30, 1943 Philadelphia, PA. Died March 26, 2023 New York, NY. Ken passed away after a long, valiant battle with MSA (multi-system atrophy), a rare neurodegenerative disease. Ken is survived by his adoring wife, Nina, the love of his life, and his beloved children, Charlie (Julia) and Carrie. He is also survived by his brother, Jeffrey (Donna), his step daughter, Chloe Greisman and his two granddaughters, Elizabeth and Beatrice. Ken attended the University of Maryland (BS, electrical engineering) and Harvard Business School. After graduating from HBS as a Baker Scholar, Ken went directly to Goldman, Sachs, and Co. where he spent twenty years. He founded and headed Goldman's high-technology investment banking group, headed the real-estate investment banking group and co-headed its principal investment activities. Ken stepped down from GS to become the President of the Export-Import Bank in 1993. In 1999, Ken co-founded Taconic Capital, a New York based Hedge Fund with Frank Brosens. They had a very successful partnership for approximately fifteen years. Ken retired, very briefly, and went on to found another Hedge fund, Sutton Square Partners. SSP closed in 2018 due to Ken's illness. Apart from Ken's adored family, Ken was most proud of his role as Founder of the Junior Tennis Champions Center (JTCC) in College Park, Maryland. Ken felt strongly that tennis could be a vehicle to change lives and provide a pathway for scholarships to top colleges and universities. The JTCC succeeded beyond his wildest dreams. Ken was also an avid and accomplished chess, poker and backgammon player. He loved playing "pick-up" chess games in Washington Square Park and Dupont Circle. He took up tennis relatively late in life and loved the game. He was a car and cigar aficionado (perhaps not the best driver) as well as an avid mystery book reader. Later in life, as he became more incapacitated, he enjoyed watching sports, especially tennis, and classic movies. Deepest appreciation to Ken's selfless aides, Rabindra Sooklall and Giorgi Meskidze and to Ken's wonderful physicians-Dr. Thomas Nash, Dr. Matthew Fink, Dr. David Kahn and Dr. Scott David. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the JTCC-5200 Campus Drive, College Park, MD 20740 (Attn: Ray Benton).

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Published by New York Times on Mar. 28, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for KENNETH BRODY

10 Entries

Nancy L Brenner

September 26, 2023

Like Nick Walt, I was in section I at Harvard Business School with Ken and was pleased to count him as a friend. But I have a non B School memory of him. When my son was little we ran into him outside of the Children's Zoo in Central Park and he delighted my son by wiggling his ears. Surely not his biggest achievement, given how brilliant and accomplished he was but nonetheless memorable. Rest in peace, Ken. Your classmate, Nancy Brenner

Mr Nicholas J. Walt

April 25, 2023

I was in the same section as Ken in year 1 of HBS.
From week one onwards the speed and quality of his analytical mind was obvious to the rest of us. While we might have been thinking we were errors of The Admissions Department. Ken did not entertain such nonsense.

Nancy McCharen and David Bellama

April 16, 2023

Our deepest sympathy to Charlie and all the family. In launching the JTCC, Ken along with Vesa organized tryouts for junior players in the Washington, DC area. Our son, TJ Bellama, was admitted into the program. The first two years of training were free. After that, Ken along with his staff would evaluate each player's family situation and provide scholarship assistance. TJ had opportunities in tennis and travel that he would never have had without Ken's vision of the tennis center. He brought the Czech national team of juniors over to practice and train, and we were fortunate to have one of the players stay with us. He would fly the kids to tournaments in his private jet, and encouraged them all and cheered them on in their matches. Charlie, your dad once said to us that he appreciated TJ's teaching you how to ride the metro. Do you remember that? He was a remarkable man, and truly built a center and a program that promotes diversity and provides opportunities to young people who would not otherwise have access to tennis as a sport and to education. We are grateful for what he did for our family, and for the many people who have benefitted from his work.

Arlene Matusow

April 10, 2023

During our high school years Ken and I were very close friends. I knew him when life was not so easy for him. Yet he always had great potential and I admire him so much for all that he accomplished . When I moved to D.C. after my husband died, Kenny helped me find a place to stay and kept in close touch with me. I am so proud of all that he achieved, especially the College Park Tennis facility. In recent years we lost contact, but he will always be in my heart. My deepest condolences to all of his family members. May it be some small consolation that he did not pass this way unnoticed

Laura Kilty

April 10, 2023

Ken was a good friend to my sister Mary Kilty who died in 2017. He recruited her to work with him at the Export-Import Bank helping to finance aircraft purchases around the world. He helped her during difficult health issues and entrusted her with management of a foundation that awarded grants to study alternative treatments for depression, an issue of great importance to both of them. I was so pleased to finally meet him when he came to Mary´s memorial service in NYC. My condolences to your family.

Emily Marker-Kelley

March 31, 2023

Mr. Brody was a mentor of mine over 20 years ago, and I can´t thank him enough for his selflessness, support, and guidance as I navigated the world of finance after my time at the University of Maryland. Ken will always hold a special place in my heart because of our shared passion for tennis and belief in its ability to change lives for the better. My deepest sympathies to Nina, Charlie, and Carrie and the rest of the Brody family.

Jeong Kim

March 31, 2023

Ken was my mentor and a dear friend. He was on the board of my company Yurie Systems. We co-founded Taconic Capital with Frank Brosen. Then I served on the advisory board of Sutton Square. I will miss him greatly. My deepest condolences to Nina, Charlie and Carrie.

Jeong Kim

David Bostwick

March 29, 2023

Ken and I were friends for over 50 years. We were study group mates at HBS and so enjoyed working together on cases and sharing our lives over many years. My sincere condolences to Nina, Charlie and Carrie. Linda and I are so sorry for your loss. I will miss Ken's warmth, wit and friendship.

MARK KOGAN

March 29, 2023

Kent was my first boss at Goldman. I have such a vivid memory of him smoking his cigar in his office and doling out advice and counsel. He turned me around during my first full-year review and set me on the right path. My condolences to Kent's family...his was a life well lived.

leah thayer ferguson

March 28, 2023

Stunning loss to those of us who been Ken's friends for over 60 years. He was unique and totally brilliant. So many Brody stories. Charlie and Carrie and the rest of the family are in our thoughts.

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