Kane, ex-Boeing executive, dies at 91

SEATTLE, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Jerome Kane, a former Boeing Co. executive who became the Alzheimer's Association of Western Washington's first director, died at 91 after a stroke.

Born in Tacoma, Wash., Kane graduated from the University of Notre Dame with an economics degree and was hired by industrialist J. Peter Grace to tutor a disabled son at the family home in New York, The Seattle Times reported.

It was through Grace, who owned Pan American-Grace Airways, that Kane found work in the aviation industry, first with Douglas Aircraft Co.

Kane joined Boeing in 1953, initially selling the 707 prototype. By his retirement in 1978, he was the commercial airplane division's Middle East sales director.

After his wife Katie was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in her 50s, Kane took care of her at home for years until his children convinced him she needed professional nursing care. After placing her in a nursing home, he became the first director of the new Alzheimer's Association of Western Washington.

Kane is survived by four children, a sister, 14 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.