David Kiner

Hi Everyone - After graduation, my family and I moved to Mexico City, and then on to Ireland - all for Oneida Silversmiths. After my U.S. return, I spent a short time in Miami before college. Finally, I was off to a community college in Poughkeepsie, NY., later moving to New York City. In Manhattan, I worked for Saks Fifth Ave., attended Hunter College, but most importantly met my soon-to-be wife Carol on a blind date. Ironically, we knew each other from Oneida and had "dated" (my interpretation, not Carol's). After marriage, I spent a short time with Oneida Silver before getting a great career break with Levi Strauss. Meanwhile, I finished my college career by going to night school at Utica College. Eventually, I left Levi to start my own business representing dozens of importers in the clothing industry. In the late 70's, we moved to Wilbraham, Mass., applied for and were accepted in an MBA evening program. After graduation, that same college, Western New England, hired me as a faculty member. Wow, looking back was I a rookie? Two years later I received an offer to teach at the Sage Colleges in Troy/Albany where I eventually headed up their MBA Program. That lasted 30 years. Along the way, my Ph.D. was finally completed. Then in 2009 we moved to Clinton and became a Visiting Professor at Syracuse University. Not wanting to retire I then took a position as Associate Dean of Business at Utica College. Finally, after 35 years in higher ed, May 2013 was almost it. In June of 2014, we moved to Pinehurst, NC, and taught part-time at the University of North Carolina. Finally, in late 2019 one extra retirement stop this time to Pooler, GA. We loved the romance of Savannah. OK, not done yet, after 6 moves after retirement, I am back living in Southern Pines, NC.

Tons of blessings happened over that period. We have been given two great-kids, one grandchild, and 5 dogs over our 52-year marriage, plus I still have hair. I've married a great supportive wife that puts up with me. Sadly, I lost Carol in July 2022. It is heartbreaking. I've enjoyed landscape work, carpentry, and photography, have written a children's book, and still enjoy a game of basketball. I love golf, but like others still wonder if it's just a great walk spoiled by a lousy swing. I've also added up some great memories ranging from an interesting walk down the Hudson River to climbing Mount Rainer. I also have great memories of working with a wide variety of consulting projects over my working life. Most important of all is my decision to accept Christ as my personal savior in April 1977. Though there have been some valleys and struggles by me along the way, there is nothing more important than that relationship.

Sorry that I have not made many of the summer reunions - but am sending my warmest good wishes. Maybe just for a little while we can act like kids again and be grateful for what I hope were wonderful memories for all of us. And to think that we are still creating them - what a blessing... David

First, I wish just once I would have studied - for anything. I paid for that later. I have great memories of those years... great friends, but turned out to be a lousy pitcher on our baseball team....My best buddy was Mike Rubery. Remember driving around with Rubery, Art Weaver, and Chuck Kimball. We took turns getting in the trunk of the car, closing it and then the driver would see how close he could come to other cars without hitting them. One of my favorite people, a person that had a great influence on me was Coach Duncan. Loved our sock hops, the music we made ours, the ability to watch the World Series in the gym, Gussies, my first several beers, my 1953 Ford with vender skirts, Cozy Corners, and best of all just feeling safe.