Joseph Kiebala Jr.
The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution announces with great sorrow the unexpected death February 26, 2002, of retiree and former Assistant Director for Administration Joseph Kiebala, Jr., at his home in Cataumet, MA. He was 78.
Joseph Kiebala, Jr., was born May 25, 1923 in Buffalo, NY. He graduated from Kenmore High School in Buffalo in 1941 and served in the 10th Mountain Infantry Division and Medical Corps in the U.S. Army during World War II. He attended Hobart College, graduating in 1947, and earned his master¹s degree in economics and finance from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1950. He began his career in finance as Bursar at Hobart College in 1950, joining the staff at the University of Rochester, NY, in 1955 as Assistant Business Manager. He was named Business Manager there in 1958. Three years later he moved to Boston to work at Boston University, serving as Comptroller from 1961 to 1965, Business Manager from 1965 to 1968, and as Vice President and Treasurer and as a Trustee from 1968 to 1970. He left Boston University in 1970 to serve as Vice President for Business Affairs for six years at Wellesley College
During his career in college finance and administration Joe served as a teaching fellow in economics and accounting at the University of Buffalo, and as an instructor in economics at Temple University. He was an evaluator for the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, a consultant to the National Institutes of Health, General Medical Sciences Division, and served as President of the Massachusetts Association of Nonprofit Schools and Colleges. He served on the Board of Managers of John Hancock Company, Variable Annuity Funds, and the Board of Trustees of Bradford College. He also served on various committees of the National Association of College and University Business Officers, Eastern Association of College and University Business Officers, and the American Council on Education
In April 1976 Joe Kiebala joined the Institution staff as Assistant Director for Administration, working with Directors Paul Fye and later John Steele. He retired from WHOI in June 1986.
Joe had many interests, including sailing and canoeing, skiing, fishing and hunting, golf and tennis. He was a private pilot and a ham radio operator. He maintained a strong love of music throughout his life, especially for jazz. He played with the Falmouth Fiddlers, and was a member of the Falmouth Amateur Radio Association and the Tide Club of Bourne. He enjoyed people and loved life, and was known for his sense of humor and generous spirit
He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth ³Betsy² (Reynolds) Kiebala of Cataumet; one daughter, Gretchen Krumpelbeck of Wellfleet, MA; two sons, Peter Kiebala of Deering, NH, and William Kiebala of Sausalito, CA; two granddaughters, Molly Krumpelbeck of Wellfleet and Kate Kiebala of Sonoma, CA; and several nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are welcome at the Kiebala home at 26 Pasture Road in Cataumet on Sunday, March 3, between 2 and 6 p.m. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Joe Kiebala¹s memory may be made to the Bourne Conservation Trust, P.O. Box 203, Cataumet, MA, 02534 or the National Kidney Foundation, 129 Morgan Drive, Norwood, MA 02062.