William B. Kindred, 92, Dun and Bradstreet retiree, teacher
Aug. 16, 1916 — Jan. 2, 2009
William Becker Kindred, a retired Dun and Bradstreet employee who taught philosophy at Hilbert College and Elderhostels, died Jan. 2 in Canterbury Woods, Amherst, after a long illness. He was 92.
Mr. Kindred was born William Wood Becker in Washington, D. C. After his father died in the flu epidemic of 1918, he was adopted by his maternal grandmother and her husband, Samuel Kindred, and given his new name.
For two years, he attended Lehigh University, where his uncle, Frank Becker, was the chairman of the philosophy department. During that time, he lived with his uncle, who was a mentor to him and instilled in him a lifelong love of philosophy.
Mr. Kindred came to Buffalo in 1944. He began working for Dun and Bradstreet as a consulting reporter and later a senior account representative.
While at Dun and Bradstreet, Mr. Kindred continued his education at the University at Buffalo, majoring in philosophy. He graduated cum laude in 1970 with a bachelor’s degree and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. He earned his master’s degree in philosophy in 1985.
He retired from Dun and Bradstreet in 1980 and began his second career.
He taught at Hilbert College from 1981 to 1985, retiring as adjunct associate professor. He then taught at various Elderhostels for the next five years.
Mr. Kindred had many other passions. He wrote poetry and was an experienced horseman, and owned several horses, including a retired thoroughbred that had raced under the name Valley Fox.
Mr. Kindred is survived by his wife of 30 years, Marilyn Schell Phillips, and a daughter, Pamela Pearson.
A memorial service will be at 2 p. m. Saturday in Canterbury Woods, 705 Renaissance Drive, Amherst.
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