Richard Kennedy Ausbrook
RICHARD KENNEDY AUSBROOK
KENNEBUNK – Richard Kennedy Ausbrook, 77, died peacefully at home in Kennebunk on April 12, 2016, with his wife, Maureen Gill Ausbrook (nee McDermott) at his side. Richard was born in St. Louis, MO, November 21, 1938, the second child of the late Eugene Kennedy “Doc” Ausbrook, D.D.S., and Mary Bernice (nee Fields) Ausbrook. His only sibling, Eugene, died in early childhood.
Mr. Ausbrook graduated St. Louis University High School (1956), College of the Holy Cross (1960), attended the University of Chicago Law School, interrupting his education to serve as a Lieutenant with the United States Coast Guard Reserve (active duty 1963-1965; honorable discharge 1970) and completed law degrees (J.D./LL.M.) at Western New England Law School (1973) while serving progressively as Vice President, Director and Division Head, Ocean Marine Division, Travelers Corporation. He became a recognized expert in marine insurance loss mitigation after assembling, directing and personally participating in the first American insurance-based international marine salvage operation. This risky operation in the Gulf of Oman was made the more dangerous by persistent
attacks upon the salvage crew and divers by tribal pirates fighting to capture the highly valuable marine and oil drilling equipment. This historic and successful effort earned Richard national and international attention, including honors from the Sultanate of Oman, the U.S. Government, Traveler’s Board of Directors, the American Institute of Marine Underwriters, and Lloyds of London. His career included executive leadership positions with Nippon Fire & Marine, Traveler’s Singapore, Prosperity Insurance in Beirut, Lebanon, Hassad Insurance of Iraq, and service as an international risk management VP/division head with the Ford Corporation and M.A. Hanna Corporation. Nearing retirement, he became a founder and executive of NxGen Electronics, San Diego. Richard served on the Insurance Advisory Committee (U.S. Department of Commerce); Cargo Security Committee (U.S. Department of Transportation); American Institute of Marine Underwriters; Great Lakes Protection Association; and
Maritime Law Association of the United States (International Law Committee). He was an advisor to various U.S. Senators and Congressman regarding business operations in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon, and a member of a U.S. Department of State trade delegation to Iraq. Richard was an expert in the turbulent politics of the Levant, including the rise of Jihadist terrorists groups such as ISIS.
Mr. Ausbrook was a lifelong liberal. He helped shatter glass ceilings holding back women and minorities in insurance, law and business. He was a voracious reader of literature and history, had eclectic tastes in music, loved theatre, film and art. He was fluent in French and had an affinity for Latin. He was a gifted writer, something he wished to develop in retirement. He loved animals (and they loved him). He traveled extensively, lived on both coasts and in the American heartland, but chose to make Maine his permanent, retirement home.
In addition to his wife Maureen, he is survived by 5 children, 7 grandchildren, and 3 sons-in-law: Margaret “Meg” Zins and husband Nick and children Augustus and Mavis; Emily Ausbrook and son Redd Ausbrook-Wong; Morgan Giddings and husband Casey and children Harrison and Olivia; Shelly Long and husband Rich and children Alyssa and Alex; and his son, Dylan Kennedy Ausbrook. He also leaves many cherished friends and cousins.
An Interfaith Celebration of Life memorial service will be held at First Parish Unitarian-Universalist Church, Kennebunk, led by Rev. Lara K-J Campbell, Saturday, May 14, 2016 at 11:00 am. The USCG will scatter Richard’s ashes at a later date in a private ceremony at sea.
The family wishes to thank Southern Maine Hospice and New England Cancer Specialists, with particular gratitude to Dr. Kurt Ebrahim and his excellent, caring staff.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to “Paws for Peace” c/o Embrace a Vet, Post Office Box 516, Topsham, Maine 04086. Paws for Peace matches service dogs with Maine veterans who live with PTSD and/or traumatic brain injury. They also provide training per the veteran’s needs. Training is done in a group setting with other veterans under the direction of a professional trainer. The website is http://embraceavet.org/paws-for-peace/
Online condolences may be expressed below.
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