RICHARD KEZER

KEZER--Richard F. December 15, 1930 - October. 17, 2023. Dick Kezer, of Brunswick, ME, age 92, died peacefully on October 17, 2023. He was predeceased by his wife of 63 years, Valerie (nee Vreeland), and daughter, Leslie. He is survived by his daughters, Sandra Kezer, Allison Kezer, Gail Kezer and Ann Lazarus-Barnes, and his beloved 11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Following graduation from Dartmouth College in 1952, an education he mostly self-financed through several jobs, and with a year of an MBA under his belt at the Tuck School of Business, he matriculated at New York University's Stern School of Business where he earned a Masters of Business degree in 1953. He began his career at the investment banking firm of Halsey, Stuart & Co. and later qualified for and attended the US Navy Officer Candidate School program in November of 1953, was commissioned in January 1954, and served for over two years at the Navy base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. After an honorable discharge, he returned to Halsey, Stuart. In 1966, he joined First National City Bank, later Citibank. There he led the pre-cursor to the Investment Banking Division and had broad responsibility for underwriters, traders, salespeople, and investment bankers. Dick was active in the public securities arena including working with a small and prestigious group of bankers who saved both New York City and New York State from bankruptcy in the mid-1970s. He also enjoyed being part of the bond financing teams for the construction of San Francisco's Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system, Washington Public Power Supply and many other municipal infrastructure projects around the country. Dick received some notable industry recognition: He was appointed by the Securities and Exchange Commission to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board, the initial group to establish standards for self-regulation in the market for municipal securities. In 1988, he was elected Chair of the Board of the Public Securities Association, a national organization of 400 commercial and investment banks. Upon retirement from Citi in 1993, he formed Richard F. Kezer Associates to consult for organizations such as the Urban Institute and the World Bank, developing capital markets in local government finance. He took great satisfaction in helping countries in the former Soviet bloc develop disciplined financial institutions and practices. Throughout his life, his interests were wide and deep. Whether skiing, sailing, throwing a football or batting practice, or watching any number of games on various school fields, he delighted in being with his grandchildren. He was a voracious reader, an intrepid traveler and a good friend. His love of classical music led him to serve on the founding Board of the Bowdoin Summer Music Festival. Some of his happiest times included sitting on the porch of the family home on Bailey Island, Maine with a beer, and a good sandwich in conversation and laughter with those whom he loved. He was the family's True North. Three generations of his family will honor him in a private celebration of his life in 2024. In lieu of flowers, please make a Memorial Contribution in his name to Camp Sunshine, that serves families who live with a child suffering with a terminal illness, 35 Acadia Road, Casco, ME 04015 or online at: campsunshine.org/giving/ tribute-and-memorial-gifts.