Washington, DC, October 23, 2009
Remembering Long-time Cathedral Benefactor and Honorary Canon Hugh Adams
Back to Press Releases »WASHINGTON, D.C. — Hugh Adams, one of Washington National Cathedral’s longest-living and most generous benefactors, died on October 16, 2009. He was 96-years-old.
Mr. Adams became interested in Washington National Cathedral after donating a stained glass window to Princeton University. The window was created by Rowan LeCompte, an artist whose has designed nearly 50 windows for the church.
After touring the Cathedral with Dean Francis Sayre in 1974, Mr. Adams pledged the gift of a clerestory window. Since his initial pledge, he gave seven LeCompte clerestory windows, west front landscaping, exterior lighting, and countless other gifts for Cathedral embellishments and programs.
He maintained close friendships with Cathedral clergy—beginning with Dean Francis Sayre and Bishop John Walker—and was installed as an honorary canon in the early 1990s. His relationship with Sir John Templeton led to the presentation ceremony for the 2000 Templeton Prize at Washington National Cathedral.
Mr. Adams was born in Chicago, graduated from Haverford School in 1931 and later Princeton University in 1935. He served as a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy. Besides helping Washington National Cathedral, he served as co-chairman on the board of New York Mission Cadets, as financial director emeritus at the Rogosin Institute, and trustee emeritus of St. John the Divine in New York City.
He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
SOURCE: Washington National Cathedral