R. Kirk Landon, IM 50, of Coral Gables, Fla., on march 24. Landon loved children and gave generously to schools, youth centers and colleges to support education and the arts. Landon was the former chairman of American Bankers Insurance Group and sold the business to Fortis Group in 1999. As CEO of American Bankers, Landon created a preschool for employees’ children, and the company opened a public school at its corporate campus. Landon provided the same opportunity for quality childcare at his alma mater. A generous donation allowed for the construction of the R. Kirk Landon Learning Center, an early education center for Georgia Tech faculty, staff and students. Landon’s support of higher education was not limited to Georgia Tech. In 2004, Landon donated $5 million to Florida International University, the single-largest individual donation in the school’s history, to create the R. Kirk Landon Undergraduate School of Business. Landon also gave $5 million to the student union at Barry University, where he was a board member, and a $1 million gift to the University of Miami’s School of Nursing. In 2011, the Miami Transplant Institute honored him with its Humanitarian Award. The Landon Foundation contributed millions to various organizations in need, and Landon is remembered as a pillar of his south Florida community. In 2011, the Association of Fundraising Professionals awarded him its Lifetime Achievement award. He also served on the board of the Zoological Society of Florida, the Miami City Ballet, Arts for Learning and Chapman Partnership.
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