Howard H. Kimball Jr. & John Diaz Charitable Endowment

Fishing Pals Not Forgotten

Howard H. Kimball, Jr. who passed away in August 2015 is being honored by his fishing buddy John Diaz. Mr. Diaz has established, in Howard’s name, a Community Foundation memorial fund to benefit animal shelters and animal rehabilitation centers in the United States. Howard and John shared a love of the great outdoors, its wildlife and adventures in the mountains of Colorado and Montana, the rivers and streams of the Adirondacks, the Caribbean, the Bahamas and the Florida Keys. On the friends’ first encounter John helped Howard cross the river. That bond is now immortalized in acts of caring for animals.

Mr. Kimball was born in Elmira, New York in 1929 and spent summers on the old family farm in Monterey. He served with distinction as a Lieutenant in the Army Rangers during the Korean War, receiving the Purple Heart and other medals. He married his sweetheart Nancy F. Marks who passed away in 1998. They had three children, seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren, and were collectors of art and patrons of local artists.

In his public life Howard was a legendary “whiz kid” and natural leader. He rose to be president of Rose Kimball & Baxter hardware business, was also president of the Arctic League, Arnot Art Museum and Tripp Foundation. He was elected Mayor of Elmira, chairman of the advisory board of Marine Midland Bank, and was appointed by Governor Nelson Rockefeller to important state commissions. Among his many initiatives are the founding of Seneca Lake Pure Waters, Dundee Cable Corp, NYS Wine Grape Growers Association, and Glenora Wine Cellars in Dundee.

A farewell note in Howard Kimball’s obituary speaks of the rarity of true friendship and his appreciation of his “good friend, care giver, and fishing pal John.”