April 16, 2001

William N. Kinnard Jr., a former leader in the School of Business Administration and founder of its Center for Real Estate and Urban Economics, died April 6. He was 74.

"He was the epitome of the outstanding faculty member, making significant contributions across the University's missions of research, teaching and public service," says Thomas Gutteridge, dean of the School of Business Administration. "He played a key leadership role in the school in founding the real estate center and moving the business school forward at a challenging time in its development."

Kinnard, an emeritus professor of finance and real estate, joined the University in 1965. He retired in 1981.

He received a bachelor's degree with honors in economics from Swarthmore College, an MBA in finance from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and, later, a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Pennsylvania. He taught at Wesleyan University before becoming director of Urban Redevelopment for the City of Middletown.

At UConn, he was head of the finance department, director of the Institute of Urban Research, and founding director of the Center for Real Estate and Urban Economics.

Kinnard also served as associate dean and acting dean in the School of Business Administration. He also taught several summer classes at the University of Florida, UCLA, and Brown University.

He published many articles in academic and professional journals, authored or co-authored several major texts on property valuation and appraisal, and received many awards.

Kinnard was owner and president of The Real Estate Counseling Group of Connecticut Inc.

He is survived by his wife Iris, his daughter Susan Jones and her husband Bruce; a son, Jeffrey and his wife Andrea, and seven grandchildren.

A memorial service was held at the Potter Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, his family suggests memorial donations in his memory to the William N. Kinnard Jr. Scholarship Fund, UConn School of Business, Center for Real Estate and Urban Economic Studies, 2100 Hillside Road, Unit 1041, Storrs, CT 06269-1041.

Sherry Fisher