Kenneth Lee Holmes

Kenneth Lee Holmes, 91 of Wilmington, DE passed to life eternal on April 22, 2021. He was the husband of Norma Herrick Zumsteg for the past nearly 35 years and the third child of the late Howard and Helen Hawkinson Holmes of Briarcliff Manor, N.Y.. 

Ken is survived by his “big brother” Howard Holmes ( Lucy) of Henrietta, N.Y. and three daughters: Holly Holmes of Rhode Island, Marnie Moody (Brian) of Utah, and Kristin Linder (Louis) of Briarcliff Manor, N.Y.

Ken is also survived by four grandchildren: Connor and Katie Moody, and Jessie and Matthew Linder. He is also survived by a step-grandson, Fredrick Connor Zumsteg.

Ken was predeceased by his sister, Marilyn Holmes Olson, and his stepson, Fredrick “Eric” C. H. Zumsteg. He was also predeceased by his former wife, Shirley Nagle Holmes.

Ken displayed remarkable leadership, academic and athletic qualities as a youth. When he graduated from Briarcliff Manor High School, his classmates characterized him as “best liked, best looking, best dressed, most attractive and most intelligent.” The latter was further reinforced by his “High Honor” designation at his high school graduation. This in turn, earned him an ROTC full tuition scholarship to Brown University from which he graduated in 1951. In February, 1984 he was the proud recipient of the Brown Bear Award for his distinguished, tireless work as a Brown alum to further support the University.

Immediately after his graduation Ken reported for active duty during  the Korean Conflict. He would serve out his duty aboard the Charles P. Cecil 385 destroyer where he was chief gunnery officer. After active duty, Ken served for many years as a member of the Navy Reserve.

Ken had a great love of language and literature and upon completion of active duty enrolled in Duke University where he secured his Masters in American Literature. Upon graduation, Ken was recruited as an intern at Merrill, Lynch, Pierce and Beans, a firm that became Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner and Smith. Ken worked tirelessly and moved up to National Accounts -Institutional Accounts Manager with an office in the executive suite at a “meteoric pace”, some said. When Ken left the firm he formed two other investment companies: Holmes, Clark, Marong and another that became Alliance Bernstein, later known as Alliance Capital. In 1976 Ken played a key role in forming the National Association of State Investment Officers. For this effort he received the Ray Lillywhite Award which honors outstanding lifetime contributions to America’s economic security. Ken also served as a consultant to the U.S. Treasury and Labor Deparments and provided testimony to Congress in support of ERISA for which we are all grateful. It was during this time completed studies at the Wharton School of Executive Management at the University of Pennsylvania.

He moved to Providence Rhode Island where he became President of Hospital Trust Investors. In 1983 he moved to Wilmington, DE where he was Senior Vice-President of Investments for the Delaware Trust Company from which he retired after their merger with Meridian.

Ken was also an active civic leader serving as Deputy Mayor and Trustee of his hometown Village of Briarcliff Manor, N.Y. He was an active member of Briarcliff Manor Congregational Church where he was elected a deacon and served as the Sunday School Superintendent. Additionally he was an active member of Sleepy Hollow Country Club where he displayed his formidable athletic prowess by winning a number of golf and tennis tournaments.

In Wilmington Ken was a board member of the Visiting Nurses Association and served as Chair of the Finance Committee. He was an active member of the St. Paul’s United Methodist Church where he and his wife, Norma Herrick Zumsteg were married during a regularly scheduled church service on Sunday, August 31, 1986. He also was a member of the Vicmead Hunt Club and the Rodney Square Club.

After all his achievements, perhaps his greatest was the ease with which he adjusted inclusively into his new blended family which included his stepson, Fredrick “Eric” Carl Herrick Zumsteg then eight years old and his aged in-laws, Lester and Marion Herrick Deck. His love, respect and acceptance was rare since while in decline both his in-laws were made to feel well cared for and “at home” with him and Norma.

Ken’s generosity of spirit and love was exceptional. He loved his wife and supported her in all of her ventures. His stepson characterized him as: “the best step-parent anyone could ever have.”

As a life partner, family man, step-parent, friend, leader, public speaker and involved citizen, Ken was truly one in a million. May his Soul Rest in Peace!  

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, July 24, 2021 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 1314 Foulk Rd., Wilmington, DE 19803, with a Gathering at 1:30PM and Celebration of Life Service at 2:00PM.

Inurnment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.   

Persons wishing to make a memorial gift in his memory may consider: Brown University Cancer Research Center, c/o Brown University, Office of Planned Giving, Providence, Rhode Island, 02903 or St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 1314 Foulk Rd., Wilmington, DE 19803.