GEORGE W. SUMNER JR. / 1927-2001

Investment banker served
on hospital, school
and tourism boards

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By Pat Gee
pgee@starbulletin.com

George Wilson Sumner Jr., an investment banker who volunteered his financial expertise to raise money for nonprofit organizations, died of cancer Oct. 15 at his Nuuanu home. He was 74.

He was an investment banker from 1962 through 1999 for Dean Witter, Blyth & Co., EF Hutton and Salomon Smith Barney, and before that, director of personnel for Amfac from 1952-62.

His wife, Bebe Moody Sumner, said her husband learned the value of community service from his father, George Sumner, former president and general manager of Amfac.

"He was a very kind family man who loved his family and community. He had a good sense of humor" and also taught his children and grandchildren to serve the community, she said.

George Sumner II said his father "always worked hard and played hard.

"He taught us if you take something out of the community, you have to put back into the community ... because it was the right thing to do.

"He was very charity-minded. He gave a lot of money and helped organizations that helped people."

Bebe Sumner said her husband was proudest of his contributions to raising funds to build the Kapiolani Medical Center and the Queen's Hospital, as well as the development of the Bishop Museum's outreach services for children.

In starting a $2 million building fund drive to help pay for the construction of the new Kapiolani hospital in 1975, formerly known as the Kauikeolani Children's Hospital, Sumner said the building program would "make possible the establishment of the finest maternal and children's care center anywhere in the Pacific basin."

Among his notable achievements, Sumner served on the board of directors for the Hawaii Visitors Bureau from 1960-62; as president of the Bishop Museum Association from 1969-70; on the Kauikeolani Children's Hospital board of directors from 1973-76; on the American Cancer Society national board of directors from 1977-82; on the St. Andrew's Priory board from 1984-86; and Le Jardin Academy's board of trustees from 1990-2000.

He was chairman of the Le Jardin board from 1992-96 and was instrumental in planning and fund-raising for the new Windward Oahu high school campus, according to his son.

Sumner also received the cancer society's Distinguished Service Award in 1974.

The former Punahou School student graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1949, served in the Navy until 1952 and was a Korean War veteran.

In addition to his wife and son, he is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth Hyde Sumner, and two grandchildren.

Services were scheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday at Punahou Chapel. Aloha attire and no flowers are requested.

Memorial gifts can be made to the George W. Sumner Jr. Scholarship fund at Punahou. Arrangements are being handled by Borthwick Mortuary.