Kathryn Motz Hunter

Hunter

July 5, 1925

December 8, 2012

Kathryn Motz Hunter - business woman, civic leader, and pioneer for women - passed away on December 8, 2012 after a short illness. She led a life that was full, robust, multi-faceted, and like no other.

The oldest child of Clarence E. and Maud R. Motz, Kathryn graduated from Buchtel High School and went on to earn a bachelor's degree in Business from Ohio Wesleyan University where she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Mortarboard, and the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.

After college, Kathryn returned to Akron and served for 18 years as Editor and Publisher of the Hudson Times, the Falls News, and the Summit County Democrat - three newspapers owned by her father, a tough and strong-willed lawyer who also served as Chairman of the Summit County Democratic Party. In 1957, and under her leadership, these newspapers received more awards than any other weekly publication in Ohio.

In the late '60's Kathryn earned her Master's Degree in Guidance Counseling from the University of Akron - an educational experience that served as the foundation for a teaching career that followed. As an instructor at the University of Akron, Kathryn designed and taught several ground-breaking courses - including "Women: Plan for the Second Half of Your Life' and "Combining Career and Marriage." These courses - at the time viewed in some quarters as provocative - inspired legions of women to view their potential in new and different ways and to aspire to goals many earlier thought to be unobtainable.

Kathryn also undertook leadership roles in several family businesses. After the 1990 death of her husband, John B. Hunter, Kathryn assumed the responsibilities of President of First Akron Corporation - a holding company for several affiliated businesses engaged in mortgage banking, title services, and real estate development. She also served as Chairman of the Company - an honorary position - at Valley Savings Bank. For over 20 years, she worked in concert with her children - David, James, and Ann - and others to promote the successes of these companies.

Kathryn relished the opportunity to give back to the greater Akron community she loved and did so in many organizations over many years. Over her lifetime, Kathryn served as a Founding Trustee of both E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall and the National Inventors Hall of Fame; as a Trustee of Akron Community Foundation, Akron Roundtable, the Ritchie Foundation, the American Red Cross, the Greater Akron Musical Association, the Ohio Ballet, Old Trail School, Ohioana, the Ohio Historical Society and its Foundation, the John S. Knight Center, International Institute of Akron, Summit Education Partnership, Falls Family Services, Sumner Home, The Church In Silver Lake, and Project Grad.

Armed with a keen understanding and appreciation of the power of education, Kathryn served with distinction on the Board of Trustees of both of her alma maters: Ohio Wesleyan University from 1978 to 1988 and the University of Akron from 1989 to 1996. She also served on the Board of Visitors of Hiram College.

Over the years, Kathryn's contributions have been honored by many. She has been named Woman of the Year by the Akron Beacon Journal., Akron Business Woman of the Year by Inside Business Magazine, Woman of the Year by the Women's History Project, Sales and Marketing Executive of the Year, Woman Philanthropist of the Year by United Way of Summit County, and one of the 100 Top Women of Distinction by the YWCA. She has been presented with the Founder's Award by Women's Network, the Director's Award by the Ohio Historical Society, and the Crystal Cross Award by the American Lung Association. More recently, Kathryn received the 2010 Bert A. Polsky Humanitarian Award - a recognition she especially cherished.

Kathryn loved her extended family and took great pride in their individual and collective successes. She was particularly proud of her six grandchildren - Marie, Helen, Kathryn, Lindsay, Lauren, and Joseph - and involved herself greatly in the promotion of their education.

Her life experiences were varied indeed - from interviewing Eleanor Roosevelt in Akron's Mayflower Hotel, to planning with Broadway's Vincent Sardi a gala civic event in Akron, to snorkeling in the Virgin Islands with her children, their spouses, and her grandchildren. And, to paraphrase Will Rogers, she never met a party she didn't like.

Preceded in death by her parents and John B. Hunter, her husband of 46 years; Kathryn is survived by her three children, David M. Hunter (Margaret) of Silver Lake, Ohio, James B. Hunter (Susan) of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Ann Hunter Durr (James) of Silver Lake, Ohio; and six grandchildren, Marie Hunter, Helen Hunter, Kathryn Durr, Lindsay Hunter, Lauren Hunter, and Joseph Durr.

Following a private interment, a Memorial Service to celebrate the life of Kathryn M. Hunter will be held at 11 a.m. on Sunday, December 23rd, 2012 on the campus of Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, Ohio. Memorials may be made in honor of Kathryn to Akron Community Foundation, 345 West Cedar Street, Akron, Ohio 44307.