Dr. Ki Hoon Kim

Dr. Ki Hoon Kim died peacefully in his sleep on April 7, 2025, under hospice care at Jerome Home in New Britain, CT.  He was born the oldest of two brothers and three sisters in 1933 in Taegu, South Korea. He earned a degree from Seoul National University before emigrating to the US in 1956, studied at New York Theological Seminary, and earned his Master's Degree in Economics from Clark University.  After marrying Soo Wha Chai (deceased, 2024) in 1964, he earned his Ph.D. in Economics from University of Connecticut. They moved to New Britain CT in 1965 to raise their son, Albert Kim, and daughter, Noel (Kim) Desmond. He was a well-respected Professor of Economics at Central CT State University for over 42 years. His enthusiasm for intercultural affairs led him to being appointed as Director of the Institute for Asian and American Studies at CCSU, where he coordinated numerous exchange programs between students and faculty, as well as becoming language interpreter for both CCSU and the City of New Britain. Dr. Kim became a trusted advisor to multiple university presidents on matters related to international education and global engagement. These efforts blossomed into a fruitful, years-long "Sister City" relationship between New Britain and Atsugi City, Japan, brokering many visits for dignitaries, educators, students, and business leaders between both countries. He also served several terms on the Water Commission of New Britain.  He was also a faithful member of South Church in New Britain for decades, and was invited as Elder and Guest Preacher at several Korean Presbyterian and Korean United Methodist Churches across Greater Hartford and New Haven. Ki Hoon was an avid golfer, and local expert on various restaurants across Central CT, especially Asian cuisines.  Most of all, he was generous with his time, humor, and resources to his family members, especially his five grandchildren, attending many concerts, plays, special events, graduations, and memorable vacations (including singing in Austria with Soo Wha, and losing his luggage in Costa Rica).

Dr. Kim is survived by:  his brother Ki Hun Kim of California; sister In Kyung Lim of Massena NY; sisters In Young Kim, In Jung Kim, and brother Ki Hwan Kim of Korea; his son, Albert, and daughter-in-law, Dr. Colleen (O'Connell) Kim, grandsons Andrew Kim of Chicago IL and Aaron Kim of Glastonbury CT; his daughter Noel (Kim) Desmond, son-in-law Stephen Desmond, granddaughters Emily Desmond of St. Louis MO, Grace Desmond and Julia Desmond of Westborough MA; several in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins across the US and South Korea. Dr. Kim was 92 years old.

A Celebration of Life Service is scheduled for this Saturday morning 4/12/25 at 11:00AM (livestream link via YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SouthChurchNewBritainCT/videos ) at South Church (90 Main St.) in New Britain CT, followed by a lunch reception at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be made in Ki Hoon Kim's memory to South Church in New Britain ( www.southchurch.org ), and/or the Ki Hoon Kim Scholarship Fund (Checks may be made payable to CCSU Foundation and mailed to: The CCSU Foundation Inc., PO Box 612, New Britain, CT 06050-9921).  Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.