J. Kenneth Hickman
- 12/10/2014

J. Kenneth Hickman

Leader in International Business and Ethics, Longtime Summit Resident

J. Kenneth Hickman of Summit, NJ passed away on December 10, 2014 at the age of 86. Born in Brooklyn and raised in Queens, Ken was accepted to Regis High School in Manhattan and graduated in 1946. Working at Charles Sommer & Bros as a jewelry salesman, Ken was able to attend Fordham and graduated cum laude with a BS in Accounting in 1951. Since his Army unit was activated just prior to graduation, his mother accepted his diploma. He served in the Army for two years and achieved the rank of First Lieutenant. Ken became Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Regis in 1982. The following year he became a Trustee of Fordham University, finally becoming a Trustee Emeritus. He also served on a number of Deans’ and Presidential Advisory Committees at the Rutgers Graduate School of Business and at Seton Hall University.

After a 37-year career with Arthur Andersen & Co, Ken retired as a Senior Partner. During his time there, he opened and managed the Newark office before becoming Director of International Business Practice in the New York office. He was active in the American Institute of CPAs and the NY and NJ Societies of CPAs where he was a Chapter President and Trustee. Ken was a trustee, director, and/or officer of the National Foreign Trade Council, Foreign Policy Association, Business Council for International Understanding, Ireland-US Council, and US-USSR Trade and Economic Council. He was a founder and first chairman of the US Industry Coordination Group on EU matters, and member of the Business Council for the UN, Carnegie Council, National Committee on Foreign Policy, American Council on Germany, National Committee for US-China Relations and Economic Club of NY. He also served on an Industry Advisory Committee to the Office of the US Trade Representative.

Ken gave freely of his time and counsel to friends, charities and organizations. He had strong convictions and held everyone to the highest standards, yet was humble and accessible. Quick-witted, he was a wonderful story teller. He was a loyal, thoughtful and easy friend. Despite his success, his greatest pride and love was for his family.

Ken is survived by his wife of 58 years, Irene (nee Davis), daughters, Trish, Carolyn, and Beth, and their husbands Rob Rhodes, John Campbell, and Rob Emerson, granddaughters Christine Sizemore (Ryan), Kathleen Rhodes, and Iris and Hazel Emerson. He was the beaming great grandfather of Chase Honeycutt. Ken is survived by his brother Wallace (Marie) of Wantagh, NY, and niece and nephews Kathleen, Paul, Donald and Raymond.

Services will be held on Tuesday, December 16 at 10:45 am at St. Teresa of Avila Church, 306 Morris Ave, Summit, NJ. Relatives and friends are invited to visit on Monday, December 15, from 2-4 & 7-9 pm at the Bradley Brough & Dangler Funeral Home, 309 Springfield Ave, Summit, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made in Ken’s name to: Alzheimer’s Association of America (400 Morris Ave. Suite 251, Denville, NJ 07834) or Fordham University (Office of Development and University Relations, Attention: Stewardship/Donor Relations, 888 Seventh Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10019).


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