Richard “Dick” Kern (pictured), head of Churchill’s Jewelers in Santa Barbara, Calif., and a longtime industry leader, died Oct. 8. He was 97.
Kern began working for Churchill’s Jewelers in 1937 when he was in junior high school. Owner Roy Churchill had him run errands and clean cases after school. He later branched out into bench work and sizing rings.
After one year of college, he entered military service and fought in World War II with the 76th Infantry Division in Europe as a member of General Patton’s Third Army at the Battle of the Bulge.
Upon returning home, Kern rejoined Churchill’s and graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara, with a B.A. in industrial science. In 1947 he married Dorothy Willson. Eight years later, the couple had triplets.
After Roy Churchill died in the early 1950s, Kern purchased the business from his estate, running it for 43 years.
Kern was active in industry groups, serving as president and board member of the California Jewelers Association. In 2007, the CJA gave him its Robert B. Westover Distinguished Service Award.
He also served for 30 years as a member of the Jewelers’ Security Alliance board and headed its finance committee. In 2013, JSA honored him at its annual luncheon.
He was also a two-term board member of Jewelers of America, and director of Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company for 21 years, as well as its chair for 13 years.
Upon Kern’s retirement, his daughter Lexi Kern Hirst took over the store. She also succeeded her father as head of the California Jewelers Association. The 98-year-old store closed with Hirst’s retirement in 2016.
Kern was an enthusiastic golfer and longtime member of the Montecito Country Club. He was also active in his community, helping to plan Santa Barbara’s downtown revitalization project. He is survived by Rita, his wife of 36 years; daughters Lexi Kern Hirst, Lee Kern, and Lynn Kern Koegel; two stepsons; and seven grandchildren.
(Image via submitted obit)
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