Dr. Alden Graham Lank, of Hingham Massachusetts, died peacefully on Monday, December 30, 2024, at the Pat Roche Hospice Home in Hingham. He was 90.
A Canadian and American citizen, Alden (known to many family members and friends as Alli) was the son of the late Herbert and Oriana (Bailey) Lank. His father was posted to Buenos Aires, Argentina, by his company Dupont, and Alden was born in Buenos Aires on February 1, 1934. He moved to Montreal with his family at the age of eight, attended local schools and graduated from Westmount High School. He continued his undergraduate education at Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont, gained an MBA equivalent from the Centre d’Etudes Industrielles (CEI) in Geneva, Switzerland, and was awarded his Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) from Harvard Business School in Boston, Massachusetts.
Alden was the beloved husband of Constance (van Zelm) Lank, with whom he shared 67 loving years of marriage following a chance introduction at Stockholm railway station by her brother Hugh, who knew Alden from Middlebury College. He was the devoted father and father-in-law of Elizabeth Lank and her husband Keith Greig of Ascot, England, Heather Lank and her spouse Julie Spallin of Ottawa, Canada, and Linda Lank of Somerville MA. Alden was the loving grandfather of Michael Alden Greig of Bristol, England, Anna Greig of Toronto, Tessa Fortier and her spouse Adam Bird of Ottawa, and Evangeline Fortier and her spouse Alexe Durocher of Ottawa. He was the loving great-grandfather of Linnea Bird of Ottawa, who brought great pleasure to her great-grandparents on her two visits to Hingham in recent months. Alden was the dear brother of David Lank and his spouse Ann Vroom of Montreal, and the late Raymond Lank and his surviving spouse Roberta of Guelph, Ontario. He was the cherished cousin of Morrie Bailey of Amesbury MA, whom Alden considered to be his third brother. He is also survived by his many much-loved nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews and extended family, his three beloved godsons and his and Connie’s feline companion, Tigger.
Alden’s career started in Human Resources with Canadian aluminium company Alcan, based in Arvida, Quebec, where his three daughters were born. Alcan sponsored his business studies and after ten years at the company he moved into academia as a professor at CEI in Geneva, Switzerland, the business school he had attended. CEI became the International Management Institute (IMI) and eventually merged with Lausanne business school IMEDE to become the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), the business school he retired from in 1998. He also spent two years of his career (1978-80) as the Director General of the Foundation of the International School of Geneva, which all three of his daughters attended, but chose to return to business education. Alden touched countless lives with his thoughtful teaching, infectious curiosity, and interest in both national and corporate cultures. He was the Stephan Schmidheiny Professor of Family Entreprises at IMD, a founder and Executive Director of the Family Business Network and he ran numerous executive programs and events that educated and shaped business leaders from around the world. His reputation for excellence in teaching and his contributions to the field of family business and organizational behavior—including a number of published books and articles—were widely recognized and led to a wide variety of global consulting assignments.
Alden was an avid traveler, always eager to explore new places and cultures. His love for wildlife, especially bird watching, was well known. He was an accomplished photographer, capturing the beauty of the world as he travelled. The African safaris he went on with his wife Connie (and often friends and family too) were some of the highlights of his travels. He and Connie also enjoyed some wonderful cruises in later life. After Alden retired, they chose to make their home in Hingham MA, a decision they never regretted. Both he and Connie have thoroughly enjoyed their life as members of the retirement community at Linden Ponds in Hingham.
Alden’s love for learning, his curiosity and compassion were evident in everything he did. He was genuinely interested in everyone and everything, and his conversations left others feeling heard, valued, and understood. He was a remarkable communicator who knew how to make others feel at ease.
Alden’s life was one of profound love for his family, dedication to his students and an abiding curiosity about the world and its inhabitants. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. May his memory live on through his family and the many lives he touched.
Following cremation, a Celebration of Life service will be held for close family and friends at Linden Ponds, Hingham on Sunday, January 26, 2025. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent in Alden’s name to the NVNA and Hospice Charitable Fund by visiting: https://www.nvna.org/charitable-fund or New England Wildlife Centers by visiting: www.newildlife.org.
See www.Keohane.com for online condolences.