Harold Kirtland Switzer II

Harold Kirtland Switzer II, of Hull, died peacefully on Aug. 27.

Kirtland is survived by his beloved wife, Kathleen Ransome; two sisters, Karen Switzer Keirstead, of Osterville, and Suzanne Switzer, of Litchfield, Conn.; stepsister Kim Hayzer, of Lehigh, Fla.; and stepmother Margaret Switzer, of Lehigh, Fla.

Kirt was the loving father of Kimberly Switzer Robbins and husband, Brian Devin Robbins, of Sandwich; Pamela Gray Switzer, of Mashpee; Deidre Switzer Riehle and husband, Parker Maynard Riehle, of South Burlington, Vt.; and Harold Kirtland Switzer III (Kirt) and wife, Aileen Galindo Switzer, of Alamo, Calif. He leaves 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Kirt was born in Litchfield, Conn., the son of George John Switzer and Muriel Belden Switzer. He was proud of the legacy of the George J. Switzer Co. in Litchfield.

He received his bachelor of arts degree from Hobart College and his master of arts degree from Trinity College.

He served as a regular officer in the Air Force during the Vietnam War.

He spent his career working as an investment banker. Companies that he worked with included Smith Barney, Harris Upham & Co., Alex Brown & Sons, Confederation Life Insurance Co. of Canada, Moseley, Hallgarten, Estabrook & Weeden, Lawrence Energy Associates, and the Electric Supply Board of Ireland.

His projects took him around the world, focusing on natural resources, including forestry, oil, gas, and water. He was particularly fond of time spent in Ireland, Australia, Vietnam, and China. He traveled to Vietnam before the U.S. embargo was lifted on a basic human need exemption to develop a Vietnamese domestic bottled water business. It was there that he worked with and fell in love with his wife in 1992.

Kirt raised his children in Duxbury where he was actively involved in supporting the youth sports endeavors of all his children, including coaching many of their youth sports teams. He spent many days on the beach with the family, often taking them off-roading in his jeep or fishing and crabbing. He deeply loved and was proud of his family.

He was an avid athlete who enjoyed skiing, tennis, sailing, and running. He ran many marathons in his life.

He was a devoted member of the United First Parish Church (Church of the Presidents) in Quincy where he served on the board of trustees and the Finance Committee, and he was the founding chair of the Historic Preservation Committee. He was proud to be chairman when the church played a key role in advocating for marriage equality, influencing public and political opinion, and ultimately seeing legislation enacted in Massachusetts.

Kirt is remembered for his strength and courage, his compassion, humor, keen intelligence, and wit. He sought the good in every person. He faced life’s challenges with optimism and faith.

A memorial service to celebrate his life is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Sept. 25 at United First Parish Church in Quincy.

Donations can be made to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168.