Bernard G. Sykes ’51

Bernard G. Sykes ’51 died on April 3, 2014, at his winter home in Riviera Beach, Florida. Ben loved the sea, and was never happier than when he was sailing or power boating off the coasts of Massachusetts or Florida. And he loved the law, practicing for 55 years and providing pro bono legal services to those in need until the end of his life. At Dartmouth Ben was in the English honors program, graduating Phi Beta Kappa. He was president of Zeta Psi and served on both the Interfraternity and Interdormitory councils. He went on to law school at Harvard and to four years as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. He served in Korea and Japan and taught at the Naval Justice School and the Naval War College. In 1958 Ben joined the family law firm of Sykes and Sykes. Through the years he lived and practiced law in Harwich Port, Massachusetts. He also started real estate investment and development businesses in Florida and, along with his son, a marina. His Florida neighbor Joe Caldwell ’51 recalled Ben’s early entrepreneurial bent when, as undergraduates, the two started a thriving resale furniture business. Joe describes his long-time friend as a “remarkable leader who combined rare intelligence, a delightful sense of humor and respectful but challenging listening skills. He always made me think!” Ben is survived by two children, including son “B.G.” ’81, and four grandchildren.