Kingdon Kerr

Born: Kingdon Kerr on July 14, 1908 in Boston, Massachusetts

Parents: Robert C. Kerr & Josephine Price  

Brother: Elwood Kerr

Married: 15 Nov 1929 to Margaret Rowley at Church of the Angels, Los Angeles

Children: Judy Kerr & Bob Kerr

Addresses: 1507 Fair Oaks Ave, South Pasadena, CA

1955 Vista Caudal

Schools: South Pasadena High School

Died: 14 Dec 1971 of heart disease

Early Life

Kingdon's unusual first name was reportedly selected by his mother from the phone book. After his father graduated from MIT with an engineering degree, the Kerrs moved to California. They settled in South Pasadena, first living at 501 Fair Oaks Ave, then moving to a home on Ramona Ave. Kindon attended El Centro Elementary School and showed an early interest in mechanical engineering: He rigged a burglar alarm for his bedroom window, which his mother tried to open one night. The window crashed shut and an alarm sounded, to Kingy's great delight, "Hoorah, it works!"

Kingdon attended South Pasadena High School, where he met his future wife, Margaret Rowley. After graduating in 1926, he joined Elwood on a cattle boat headed for the South Seas. They voyaged for six months, visiting Fiji, Tahiti, New Zealand and eastern Australia. After he returned, he applied to the best aeronautics program in the country at University of Illinois. He married Margaret so that she would accompany him.

After two years at Chicago, Kingdon felt more knowledgeable about aeronautics than his professors, so opted not to complete a degree. Instead, he transferred to the Boeing School in Seattle, completed a training course, and took a job with Boeing in the San Francisco area. Later [approximate year], he joined the Douglas Company based in El Segundo near Los Angeles. He remained with Douglas until [circa]. 

Professional Life

Kingdon died suddenly of a heart attack in Dec 1961 at age 62. Margaret decided not to have a memoruial service. A separate album "An Inventive Mind: The Career & hobbies of kingdon Kerr" honors his life & accomplishments. 

Architecture

Kingdon became involved with the design of the family's home built at 10488 Troon Ave in West L.A. When the family needed to move again, he developed plans for purchasing a parcel of the Bullock's Estate on Winnett Place in Santa Monica. [mom to provide more].

Photography

[Mom and Bob to provide info]

Travel

[This section will include links to slideshows of Kingdon's travels]