Wesley John Kinder was born on 8 September 1921 in Dubuque, Dubuque, Iowa.
3,2 He died on 25 July 2016, at age 94, in Lakeside, San Diego, California. He was buried in Glendale Cemetery (Block J, Lot 1217), Des Moines, Polk, Iowa.
U.S. Army-WWII- 23 Aug 1943.
3 Wesley John Kinder was an Insurance Commissioner/ President-Fremont Reinsurance. Wesley J. Kinder, 94, passed away on July 25, 2016 in Lakeside, CA at the home of his daughter and son-in-law.
Wes was born on September 8, 1921, in Dubuque, Iowa, to Samuel and Elizabeth Kinder. He was the oldest of four children. His father died in a construction accident when he was a young boy and he had to leave high school after the 10th grade to help support the family. He worked hard later to earn his GED and made the most of every learning opportunity afforded him, advancing rapidly at every place he worked.
He was a long-time resident of La Habra, California. Wes had a full life, including serving in the Army, working for the State of California as Insurance Commissioner and finally serving as President for Fremont Reinsurance.
As a regulator, he earned a reputation for clear and innovative thinking and fairness in the face of political pressures. He served as California's Chief Assistant Insurance Commissioner under Governor Reagan and Commissioner under in Governor Jerry Brown. During his years as California Commissioner, he faced and advanced reforms in auto, homeowners, worker’s compensation, senior, medical malpractice, mortgage guaranty and title insurance. Recognized nationally for his balanced approach to many sensitive insurance issues in auto and homeowner insurance and in reinsurance, Kinder was elected by his peers in other states as President of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and served in both that post and as California Commissioner in 1980.
He was an avid baseball fan and student of the game, who recalled running from school to his Iowa home to listen on his radio to hear “Dutch” Reagan’s play by play coverage of Chicago Cubs games from Wrigley Field. He loved baseball strategy and statistics, and could, and did, make a rational argument that a 2 and 1 pitch was as easy to hit as a 3 and 1 pitch.
After retirement, Wes maintained strong connections with his family both near and far. He explored genealogy with his brother Jim and planned a reunion in Dubuque, which enabled second and third cousins from across the country to meet for the first time. His grandchildren carry fond memories of weekends spent visiting him in La Habra and swimming in his pool. He visited them frequently as well, and was present at nearly every major event in their lives from births and baptisms to graduations and weddings.
Wes is survived by his daughter, Kathy Kearney, and her husband Tom; 3 siblings: James Kinder (wife: Diane), Mary Kalisch, and Betty Ramm, as well as 4 grandchildren: Caitlin, Kyle, Corey and Claire, plus numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Annette.