Keith Sears Wellin

Noted Charleston philanthropist and retired Wall Street executive Keith S. Wellin died Sunday at age 88 following a long illness, surrounded by his beloved wife Wendy, loving family and friends. Wellin was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on August 13, 1926 and was raised in Chicago, Illinois. After graduating from New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois, he attended the Citadel and was stationed as an officer in Seoul, Korea. Following his Army service, Mr. Wellin returned to Hamilton College in Clinton, New York, where he received a degree in Philosophy and English literature, then went on to earn an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1952.

During his career on Wall Street, Wellin served as president and vice chairman of E.F. Hutton, president of Reynolds Securities, and then chairman of DW Intercapital and vice chairman of Dean Witter Reynolds. He also served as chairman of Moorco International, Inc., a Houston-based energy equipment company.

Always remembering those less fortunate, Keith was particularly generous to those in need. From his early days, he was a significant supporter of the Bowery Mission in New York City. In memory of his niece Ruth, who was killed in the terrorist attacks on 9/11/2001, he supported a space dedicated to women in need at the Bowery.

Wellin served as a life trustee of Hamilton College, where he was first elected to the board in 1969 and served as chairman of the college's Investment Committee. Together with his wife Wendy, Mr. Wellin was a significant benefactor of Hamilton, supporting special endowment projects and making transformative gifts to create spaces named in their honor for music, athletics and the sciences. In 2007, the Wellins made the single largest gift in the history of Hamilton College. Their $10 million lead gift to the arts funded the Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum named in memory of his parents, which was dedicated in 2012. The Wellins' great love for Hamilton and Charleston is reflected in joint exhibitions which have since been co-curated with the Wellin and Halsey Museums.

The Wellins returned to Charleston in 2005, where they quickly became engaged citizens and have been actively involved in local philanthropic efforts. In addition to supporting generously many local organizations, the Wellins have made significant gifts to the Medical University of South Carolina and to the Roper St. Francis Hospital. In recognition of their support, construction will begin in November on the Wendy and Keith Wellin Head and Neck Clinic at MUSC and plans are underway for construction of the Wellin Stroke Center at Roper St. Francis.

Friends are invited to call on Monday, September 15 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Wellin home, 126 Tradd Street. In lieu of flowers, please consider gifts in Keith's memory to the Wendy and Keith Wellin Head and Neck Clinic MSC550 (135 Rutledge Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425) or to the Roper St. Francis Foundation/Wellin Stroke Center (125 Doughty Street, Suite 790, Charleston, SC 29403).