Leonard Firestone: Difference between revisions
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Revision as of 12:10, 22 October 2006
Leonard K. Firestone' (born 1907; died Pebble Beach, California on 24 December, 1996), was a business man, diplomatic ambassador and philanthropist.
The son of Firestone founder, Leonard was educated at The Hill School, and graduated from at Princeton University in 1931, where he was active in golf and polo.
He was employed on graduation by the family company in sales positions by Firestone Tire & Rubber Co., founded by his father in Akron, Ohio. In 1935, he was appointed sales manager and in 1939 became a director of Firestone. He was named president of Firestone Aviation Products Co. in 1941.
He was commissioned in the United States Navy as a lieutenant, but was assigned to inactive status to become president of Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. of California in 1943.
Firestone was appointed U.S. ambassador to Belgium by President Richard Nixon, and was reappointed by President Gerald Ford.
He was a contributor to charities and served as president of the trustees of the University of Southern California and president of the World Affairs Council of L.A. He was a board member of several organisations, and cofounder of the Betty Ford Centre.
Personal life
In 1932, he married Polly Curtis, by whom he had three children. Polly died in 1965 of cancer. He then married Caroline Hudson Firestone.
His two marriages produced three children: sons A. Brooks (graduated Princeton 1958, a member of the California State Assembly) and Kimball; and daughter Lendy Brown.