Main RMI Number
408-554-4960
SCU - St. Joseph's Hall
Room # 108
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Retail Management Institute Newsletter - Fall '04
Jack Kilmartin: In Memoriam -
Reflections by RMI Director Dale Achabal
Jack Kilmartin
December 16, 1921 -
July 30, 2004
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At some point in your professional life, if you are fortunate, a visionary individual initiates a series of events that change the course of your future.
For over 500 alumni, several thousand industry executives, and the faculty and staff of the Retail Management Institute that visionary was John F. (Jack) Kilmartin. In 1980, Kilmartin asked former Dean Andre’ Delbecq why we in the business school at Santa Clara didn’t have a program focusing on the retail industry and RMI was born. As Delbecq said recently, “Jack was a wonderful man who felt that everyone had inside themselves the obligation and capacity to serve others with dignity. He had a love of fashion and an instinct for people.” For retailing was all about people – your customers, your employees, your family, your community.
Kilmartin worked closely with a small group of industry executives and Santa Clara faculty to develop the Institute in 1980 and held it all together while the program found its stride. He took a leadership role in providing the long- term endowment for the Institute with a major gift that was matched by the Mervyn’s and Dayton Hudson Foundations and also established an endowed scholarship in his parents’ names. Another RMI founder a long time friend, Ellen Newman said, “besides his talent, he was grace personified.”
Kilmartin, a graduate of Washburn University and Harvard Business School, had a distinguished 40 year career in the retail industry, retiring in 1986 as chairman and CEO of Mervyn’s. He was the corporate vice president and general merchandise manager for Rhodes Department Stores before he joined Mervyn’s in 1966. He worked closely with founder Mervin Morris to build Mervyn’s into the most successful promotional department store of its time.
In addition to being a founding Advisory Board member of the Retail Management Institute, Kilmartin was on the Board of Trustees, Board of Regents and the Business School Advisory Board at Santa Clara University.
Fr. Paul Locatelli, president of SCU said, “Jack Kilmartin was an extraordinary and ethical leader who had an impact not only on the company for which he worked, but also on Santa Clara University, the local community, the Church, and broader society. He was a person of integrity and devoted to his family. His quiet but exceptional presence was felt by all who spent time with him.” Kilmartin was active with many charitable organizations throughout his career and was a member of the Order of Malta.
Jack Kilmartin was a man who throughout his professional and personal life, lived the core values of Santa Clara University. He truly was an individual of competence, conscience and compassion.
As we have all said at the Retail Management Institute so many times over the past 24 years, “Thanks, Jack!” We miss you, love you and will never forget you.
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