Lud Kramer

Albert Ludlow "Lud" Kramer III (June 10, 1932 – April 9, 2004) was an American politician who served as a member of the Seattle City Council and as the 11th Secretary of State of Washington.

Lud Kramer
11th Secretary of State of Washington
In office
January 13, 1965 – January 15, 1975
GovernorDaniel J. Evans
Preceded byVictor A. Meyers
Succeeded byBruce Chapman
Personal details
Born
Albert Ludlow Kramer III

(1932-06-10)June 10, 1932
Manhattan, New York, U.S.
DiedApril 9, 2004(2004-04-09) (aged 71)
Liberty Lake, Washington, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
RelationsEdward C. Delafield (grandfather)
Robert L. Gerry III (cousin)
Children4
Parent(s)Albert Ludlow Kramer Jr.
Mary Delafield
EducationBrooks School

Early life

Kramer was born in New York City on June 10, 1932, into a prominent and wealthy family. He was the son of Manhattan poloist and yachtsman,[1] Albert Ludlow Kramer Jr. (1907–1971) and Mary (née Delafield) Kramer, who married in June 1931.[2][3] In 1935, his parents divorced and his father remarried to Melva Peshmalyan Colt (daughter of Byron Peshmalyan and widow of Roswell C. Colt) in December 1939.[4] In April 1940, they also divorced and his father married Brenda Fiske, a daughter of Archibald F. C. Fiske, in 1940.[5] His family had a home in New York City and an estate designed by Peabody, Wilson & Brown in Old Westbury on Long Island known as Picket Farm (demolished after a fire destroyed the home in 1977).[6]

His paternal grandparents were Margaretta Stockton (née Beasley) Delafield and the former president of the Bank of America Edward Coleman Delafield of Riverdale (a grandson of Joseph Delafield and descendant of Margret (née Lewis) Livingston and Maturin Livingston). His paternal grandparents were Anna (née Bement) Kramer and the industrialist, banker and lawyer Albert Ludlow Kramer, who served as vice president of the Equitable Trust Company.[7] After his grandmother's death in 1931, his grandfather married Anna's cousin, Alice (née Bishop), in 1932.[8] Together, Albert and Alice authored many books, including The Life in the Vine, The Unlocked Door, and I Bring You Joy.[9] His paternal aunt, Martha Leighton Kramer, was the wife of Robert Livingston Gerry Jr. and mother of petroleum executive Robert L. Gerry III.[10]

He graduated from Brooks School in Andover, Massachusetts.[11]

Career

After attending the Brooks School, Kramer served in the U.S. Air Force as a Sergeant.[12] In 1955, he moved to Tacoma, Washington, where he worked in the banking industry.[12]

Political career

In 1961, Kramer moved to Seattle with his family and was elected to the Seattle City Council at the age of 29. In 1964, he became the youngest Secretary of State in Washington State history on the Republican ticket. He served for three terms. His major initiatives dealt with migrant housing, election law reform, lowering the voting age from 21 to 18, and various social justice programs for minorities.[12] In 1969, Kramer chaired the Washington State Commission on the Cause and Prevention of Civil Disorder. The "Kramer Commission" examined issues of racial discrimination in housing and the justice system.[12]

In 1974, Kramer ran to represent the Third District in Southwest Washington in the U.S. House of Representatives, but lost the race to Democrat Don Bonker, whom Kramer beat in the race for Washington Secretary of State in 1972.[11]

Later life

After his unsuccessful bid for U.S. Congress, Kramer resigned in the middle of his third term as secretary of state in 1975 to create the Ludlow Foundation. The purpose of the Ludlow Foundation was to provide small grants to lower-income people and non-profit organizations.[12]

Personal life

Kramer married his wife Patricia. They were married for 17 years and divorced for 17 years then got remarried. They had two daughters and two sons:[13]

  • Mary Kramer, Vice-President of the Ludlow Foundation[14] who married Dr.Kenji Higuchi.[12]
  • William "Bill" Kramer,[12] president of the Ludlow Foundation.[14]
  • Ann Kramer, who married David Vey, Treasurer of the Ludlow Foundation.[12]
  • John Kramer,[12] Secretary of the Ludlow Foundation.[14]

Kramer died at his home at Liberty Lake, Washington on April 9, 2004, from lung cancer.[12]

References
  1. Times, Special to The New York (28 August 1926). "BURNED AS HIS YACHT CATCHES FIRE, SINKS; A. Ludlow Kramer Jr. in Hospital After Gasoline Is Ignited on Cruise at Southampton". The New York Times. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  2. "Milestones, Jun. 29, 1931". Time. 29 June 1931. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  3. "MARY DELAFIELD HAS CHURCH BRIDAL; Banker's Daughter Is Married to Albert Ludlow Kramer Jr. in Riverdale, N. Y. UNION OF OLD FAMILIES Bride's Sister Is Matron of Honor-- Wedding Procession Passes Through Floral Lane". The New York Times. 21 June 1931. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  4. TIMES, Special to THE NEW YORK (15 December 1939). "MRS. M.P. COLT WED TO A.L. KRAMER JR.; White Plains Church Is Scene of Ceremony Performed by Rev. Ernest R. Palen RECEPTION IS GIVEN HERE Mrs. Charles Carroll, Sister of Bride, and Mrs. Robert L. Gerry Jr. Attendants". The New York Times. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  5. "BRENDA FISKE IS WED IN HOME OF MOTHER; Attended by Sister at Bridal to A. Ludlow Kramer Jr". The New York Times. 15 May 1940. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  6. L, Zach (February 18, 2013). "'Picket Farm'". OLD LONG ISLAND. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  7. "ALBERT L. KRAMER, INDUSTRIALIST, 70; Ex-Head of Electric Properties Dies--Once Vice President of Equitable Trust". The New York Times. 9 August 1948. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  8. "ALICE BISHOP WED TO A. L. KRAMER; Ceremony in Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Chapel Performed by Rev. R. S. Clements. BRIDE A COLONIAL DAME Bridegroom's Daughter Marleigh Is Only- Attendant--Reception at the Waldorf-Astoria". The New York Times. 8 September 1932. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  9. "Albert Ludlow Kramer". The Philadelphia Inquirer. 10 August 1948. p. 10. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  10. "MISS KRAMER WED TO R. L. GERRY JR; Westbury Church is Scene of Picturesque Ceremony in Rich Floral Setting. FATHER ESCORTS BRIDE Mrs. A. Ludlow Kramer Jr. Is Matron of Honor -- Reception on Picket Farm Lawn". The New York Times. 6 May 1934. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  11. Kaiman, Beth (April 14, 2004). "A. Ludlow 'Lud' Kramer, 1932-2004: Former secretary of state acted on his sense of justice". Seattle Times. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  12. "A. Ludlow "Lud" Kramer Secretary of State | Washington Legacymakers". www.sos.wa.gov. Washington Secretary of State. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  13. "The Ludlow Foundation - Our Board of Directors". ludlowfoundation.org. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
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