Richard Browne Kilner
June 1, 1928-Aug. 1, 2025
Palo Alto, California
Longtime Palo Alto resident Richard “Dick” Kilner passed away on August 1 at the age of 97.
Dick grew up in Kenilworth, Illinois, on the north shore of Lake Michigan outside Chicago, as the youngest of three children. He attended New Trier High School, where he became a strong tennis player.
In the fall of 1946, Dick and a handful of New Trier classmates headed out west to attend Stanford University. He never looked back. At Stanford, Dick majored in journalism and met Carol Ackerman, whom he favored over the further pursuit of tennis. Upon graduation in June 1950, Dick and Carol married in the Stanford Chapel. They remained at Stanford for another two years while Dick obtained an MBA.
Carol and Dick had two sons, Scott and Brian. The young family lived in Orinda from 1953-1961, but then returned to Dick’s beloved Palo Alto. There he started a small business representing the operations of East Coast-based trade magazines on the West Coast. Over the following years, Dick remained a devoted follower of Stanford football and basketball. He and Carol also developed a love for the Hawaiian Islands, purchasing a condominium at Poipu on Kauai, to which they traveled each year. Dick became an avid surfer, both on Kauai and in the more frigid waters around Santa Cruz. He and Carol also became accomplished bridge players, with Dick achieving “Gold Life Master” rank.
After Carol passed away in 1999, Dick remained in their Leland Manor home until 2012, when he moved to the “Vi at Palo Alto” residence, where he lived until his death. At his 65th Stanford Reunion, Dick reconnected with classmate Marilyn (McAdams) Mahan, who soon became his new, devoted partner.
Dick will be remembered above all for his easy-going kindness, his unfailing generosity, and a ready smile delivered with a twinkle in his eye. He is survived by sons Scott and Brian, his partner Marilyn, four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
The family requests that any donations on Dick’s behalf be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Tags: business, sports
