Sung Bok Kim

Sung Bok Kim, of Mattapoisett, born September 1932 passed away on February 23. He retired to Mattapoisett in 2013 after a 40 year career at the State University of New York at Albany where he was a Distinguished Service Professor of History. During his years there he taught, was Department Chair and Dean of Undergraduate Studies. He was the recipient of several Chancellor's Awards for both teaching and scholarship. He also was named a Collins Fellow, an award which recognizes faculty who over a sustained period have shown extraordinary devotion to the University and the people in it.

Sung Bok came to the United States from South Korea in 1960 and began graduate studies at the University of Wisconsin. He then went to Michigan State University where he received a PhD.

American International College was his first teaching position. From there he moved to Williamsburg, Va, as a post doctoral fellow at the Omohundro Institute sponsored by Colonial Williamsburg. Simultaneously he taugh in the History Department at The College of William and Mary. His next move was to The University of Illinois.

During that period he published a book, Landlords and Tenants in Colonial New York, which dealt with the NY Manorial system. His final academic move was to Albany where he spent the rest of his career working on a book about the American Revolution.

While living in Mattapoisett he continued to write and very much enjoyed coastal living as it reminded him of where he grew up. He loved this area. He leaves his wife of 61 years, Leda; a daughter, Briana of Schoharie, NY; and twin sons, Cortland (wife Tia) and Blakeley of San Francisco, CA.

In addition to his overwhelming passion for American history he enjoyed watching lacrosse especially when his sons were playing. He also adored the numerous Bouvier des Flandres dogs that shared his home over the years.

Arrangement are by the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home For Funerals and will be private.  In lieu of flowers, remembrances maybe made in his memory to the lacrosse program, Attn: Scott Marr at the State University of NY, 1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12222.