Deceased July 2, 2017

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In Memory

Our friend and classmate, Ken Glover, died on July 2, after a long hard-fought battle with pancreatic cancer. At his funeral service, George Johnson ’73 said this about Ken, “(he) was smart. Brash. Loyal. Funny, Confident. Stubborn—all the things Amherst thought it taught you. Truth be told, Kenneth was all those things long before he came to Amherst.”

Ken came to Amherst having graduated at the top of his class at Fairmont Heights (Md.) High School. He and I, and a few members of the class, enrolled in the Common Studies program, the last gasp of a core curriculum at Amherst. Ken took his studies seriously. He also played basketball and regaled us with many stories in the Annex at Valentine. Tom Leach ’74, Ken and I were roommates in Pratt, sophomore year. Joined by Chuck Donaldson, we spent many a night strolling into town on a pizza run.

Ken spent his senior year in Washington, D.C., and wrote his senior thesis on home rule for the District of Columbia. This work in many ways laid the foundation for a robust career in urban finance, politics, governance and economic development. He served as deputy campaign manager for Harold Washington’s historic campaign as Chicago’s first black mayor and campaign chair for his re-election campaign. He advised several first time African-American big city mayors and was principal financial advisor to the Washington Convention Center Authority. In Prince George County, he served as chief administrative officer where he oversaw the operations of the county government. In recent years, served as chair of the Prince George’s Hospital Authority and played a pivotal role in reorganizing how healthcare is delivered in the County.

The highlight of Ken’s life was his family. He always felt himself lucky to have met and married Lauren Dugas. Their marriage produced two sons, Evan Joseph Glover and Jonathan Taylor Glover, of whom he was very proud.

My last conversation with Ken took place when he called in May to wish me a happy birthday. In the end he was chiding, encouraging and generous. Grateful for all that life has brought his way. We will miss him.

Richard Ammons ’74