Obituary of Kenneth Dane Brooksher

Dane, 84, passed away early Tuesday morning, July 25, 2023, at his home. Born February 8, 1939 in Elsberry, MO, he was the son of Forrest Edward and Charlotte Elizabeth Maupin Brooksher. Raised in Elsberry, Dane was a 1957 graduate of Elsberry High School. He went on to attend University of Missouri and transferred to the College of William & Mary, where he completed his degree in accounting in 1961. Dane was united in marriage on June 12, 1959 in Kirkwood, MO to Carter Jean Stafford. This union was blessed with three children: Leslie, Geoffrey, and Gregory. Dane was an accomplished businessman, operating KPMG, and then ProLogis, retiring from business in 2005. In 1969, he started White Oak Farms in Elsberry, and for all his life, he loved the land. He was a member of Elsberry United Methodist Church, Mason School of Business and College of William and Mary Alumni Association. Dane started his career in 1961 joining Peat Marwick & Mitchell (now KPMG). He made partner in 1969. During his career he served in many positions, including managing partner for the Midwest area and Chicago Office. He also served on the firm’s Board of Directors, Management Committee, and as an International Partner. In 1993, Dane joined Security Capital Industrial Trust, first as Chief Operating Officer and then as Co-Chairman and CEO. In 1994, he was successful in taking the company public on the NYSE. In 1997, the company changed its name to Prologis, and in 1998, Dane became Chairman and CEO. Throughout his tenure as CEO, Prologis expanded rapidly throughout the world through a series of acquisitions and organic growth. In 1997, Dane led the company’s expansion into Mexico, in 1998 into Europe, and in 2001 into Asia. In 1999, under Dane’s leadership, the company innovated its capital structure by becoming one of the first public real estate companies to create a private equity model for investing. And in 2003, the company was placed into the S&P 500 as among the most widely followed public companies in the world. Dane retired from Prologis in 2004. He is known by his colleagues as a tremendous leader who always did what he said he was going to do. He had a strong acumen for attracting and mentoring great people and in doing so, built one of the most successful companies in the world. Dane served on many corporate and philanthropic organizations Board of Directors including: Pactiv Corporation, Butler Manufacturing, Cass Information Systems, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Northwestern Kellogg School, and also served as the Midwest Chairman of the US Olympic Committee. Throughout his life, Dane supported his alma mater, The College of William & Mary. Dane was a Trustee Emeritus and Treasurer of the William & Mary Foundation as well as Past Chairman of the W&M Business School Foundation, where he served as Trustee from 1981-1989 and again from 2005-2022. He was one of the longest serving Trustees of the Business School Foundation. Dane endowed and leaves the legacy of the Brooksher Professorship. He also oversaw the creation and led the funding of the Accounting Professorship in honor of Emeritus Professor John S. Quinn, and he was instrumental in the creation of the KPMG Professorship, also in the Business School. In honor of all his dedicated work with William & Mary, the W&M Alumni Association awarded its highest honor, The Alumni Medallion, to Dane in 1991. In recognition of his character, success in business, and involvement in business education, the Faculty of the W&M Mason School of Business awarded Dane its T.C. and Elizabeth Clarke Medallion in 2006. He was preceded in death by his parents, Forrest Edward and Charlotte Maupin Brooksher; and his brother, Carey Gene Brooksher. Survivors include his beloved wife of 64 years, Carter Jean Stafford Brooksher of Elsberry; their children: Leslie Brooksher Gottlieb and her husband, Richard E. Gottlieb; Geoffrey S. Brooksher and his wife, Austin Zike; and Gregory E. Brooksher and his wife, Inas Hadieh; and four grandchildren: K. Degen Gottlieb and wife, Carly Ho; Samantha Gottlieb Jordan, and wife, Shannon Kelly Jordan; Noah C. Brooksher; and Aidan M. Brooksher; and nieces: Lindsey Brooksher, Mellissa Cobillas, and Erin Lundtveit. Dane also leaves many other relatives and a host of friends. Memorials may be made to W&M Business School Foundation at the College of William & Mary, W&M Business School Foundation P.O. Box 3023 Williamsburg, VA 23187. Please note “In Memory of Dane Brooksher for Mason School Annual Fund.” Online donations to W&M may be done via: https://impact.wm.edu/brooksher Memorial donations may also be made to: The Elsberry United Methodist Church; The Elsberry Historic Preservation Society; or the Palmer Library in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, 107 S. 5th Street; Elsberry, MO 63343. A Celebration of Life for Dane will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be made at www.carterricksfuneralhome.com