Richard Hardin Kimberly

Richard Hardin Kimberly of McLean, Virginia unexpectedly passed away on November 23, 2023, at the age of 88. Dick, as he was known, is survived by his wife of 64 years, Karen Lee Kimberly, his greatest joy and love. Dick was born in Neenah, WI, where he was raised by his parents, the late Elizabeth Essick and John R. Kimberly, and grew up with his sister the late Josephine Kimberly Peterson, his brother John R. Kimberly, Jr., and brother the late William E. Kimberly. Dick attended the Asheville School, Wayland Academy, and Lawrence University. He was a United States Marine, and was honorably discharged in 1956. Dick had a distinguished career with Kimberly-Clark Corporation, where he held various positions from 1957-2000 including Consumer Products and Newsprint Sales before he moved into Government Affairs at both the State and Federal levels. He retired from K-C as the Vice President of Federal Governmental Affairs and then founded Kimberly Consulting, continuing his lobbying career. Throughout his career, Dick lived in Hendersonville, NC; Atlanta, GA; and settled in McLean, VA in 1981. Dick had a distinguished and diverse philanthropic career, serving on numerous professional, educational, and civic organizations and boards. He was a longstanding member of the American League of Lobbyists, serving as President in 1992 and 1993. Dick was honored to serve as a Commissioner on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday Commission. Dick was on the Board of Trustees for Wayland Academy and Zamorano University, an agricultural school in Honduras, serving as Chairman at both. He was a board member of the National Business Aviation Association and was on the President’s Council of the Experimental Aircraft Association. Dick was on the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum Board of Governors and was also the first Chairman of the American Film Institute’s Washington Chapter. Dick additionally served on the Board of Directors for Kimberly-Crest, the Redlands, CA home of great grand-father John A. Kimberly, a founder of Kimberly-Clark. Dick was a faithful and devoted Episcopalian, serving several dioceses in various positions, including Senior Warden at Saint Anne’s Church in Atlanta. Dick had numerous joys, especially water skiing and boating, often on the Eastern Shore of Maryland with family and friends. He was a dedicated life-long Green Bay Packers fan and shareholder. Dick is survived by his four children: Richard Hardin Kimberly, Jr.; John Holbrook Kimberly (Nancy); Scott Robbins Kimberly; Karen Kimberly Holland (T.J.); and his six grandchildren: Kimberly Nicole Chellino; John Holbrook Kimberly, Jr.; John Alfred Holland; Adelaide Essick Kimberly; Mack Charles Kimberly Holland; and Sydney Robbins Kimberly. A memorial service will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 6715 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA 22101, on December 15th at 1:00pm, with a reception to follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to Kimberly-Crest, through the nonprofit Kimberly-Shirk Association, located at 1325 Prospect Drive, Redlands, CA 92373, or online at kimberlycrest.org/legacy-giving/.