Borell KIRSCHEN

1937 - 2017

KIRSCHEN, Borell Borell Kirschen died on December 25, 2017 at the age of 80. He was born in Flemington, New Jersey on August 7, 1937 to the late Sidney and Nady Kirschen. He graduated from Flemington high-school in 1955 where he was valedictorian and in the all-state band and chorus. He graduated from Williams College in 1959 where he graduated with honors and a BA in History. In 1962, he received his law degree at Yale University. In 1962, he joined North American Aviation as a contract analyst and negotiator in El Segundo, California. From 1964-1971 he was engaged in the private practice of law in Pacific Grove, California, where he also served as Deputy District Attorney in Monterey County. In 1971 he joined the Fireman's Fund Insurance Company General Counsel's Office in San Francisco, became General Counsel in 1977 and added the title of Chief Claims Executive in 1983. In Marin County, he served as Director of Fireman's Fund and its insurance subsidiaries until 1988 and as Director of its San Francisco Reinsurance Company from 1979 until 1982. He served two terms as Chairman of the American Insurance Association Law and Regulation Committee. He later served as a consultant to Fireman's Fund and retired in 1993. He was very active in community service. He served as Chairman of The Gateway Center for Adults with Disabilities, as President of the World Affairs Council of the Monterey Peninsula, as President of the Pacific Grove Art Center, and as board member in several organizations including the Monterey Peninsula Museum of Art, Marin Symphony, Marin Opera, Marin Ballet, Santa Rosa Symphony, and Santa Rosa Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs. Passions and hobbies included marrying his soul mate, Janet, in 1973. He played with the San Francisco Rugby Club from 1973 to 1976 and performing as a musician (French Horn and snare drum) with the New Haven Business and Professional Men's Orchestra, the Los Trancos Woods Community Marching Band, and the Monterey Viejo chapter of E. Clampus Vitus marching band. He sang with the Mayflower Chorus, the Marin Community Chorus, the Sonoma Valley Chorale, the Marin Opera Chorus, and The Thermostats (a rock band). He traveled widely with Janet, indulging in his love of ocean and river cruising. He was a connoisseur of art, music, and literature, especially taking great pride in his extensive collection of books on the history of World War II. He was singularly accomplished and widely admired for his brilliance, humility, humanity, whimsicality, and civility-the paragon of a hail fellow well met. He will be remembered by Janet, his beloved wife, his brother Roger and his wife Laurel, niece Sandra Solof, grand-niece Lindsey Anne Solof and grand-nephew Nathan Solof. On January 12, beginning at 11:00 a.m., there will be a memorial service for him at the Star of the Valley Catholic Church, 496 White Oak Drive, Santa Rosa. A reception will follow. Donations to the Santa Rosa Symphony are suggested.