Kevan Francis Hirsch – Charleston, S.C.

Kevan Francis Hirsch passed away on Jan. 6, 2021, at his home in Charleston, S.C., with loving family at his bedside. He had very recently been diagnosed with lung cancer. Kevan was born in Charleroi on June 6, 1954, and grew up in nearby Donora. He was the son of Rena Fiedler Hirsch (Durham, Conn.) and the late Arnold Wayne Hirsch. Kevan graduated from Ringgold High School in Donora, where he was president of the Class of 1972. Kevan went on to obtain a Bachelor of Arts cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania in 1976 and a Juris Doctorate cum laude from Temple University School of Law in 1982. Most of Kevan’s distinguished legal career as a litigator and mediator was centered in Philadelphia. Early on he held positions, including partner, in several prestigious law firms. For 17 years he was an equity partner at Kaplin Stewart, where his varied practice included software licensing, business transactions and litigation, and insurance disputes. He was concurrently general counsel for eSolutions Group for seven years. At the time of his death Kevan was Global General Counsel at Serrala Group. A trusted leader at Serrala, he handled matters related to financial software, treasury, customs and data archiving, and negotiated employment, HR and commercial contracts. Kevan’s colleagues found him of deep legal intelligence, insightful about complex problems, and incredibly hard working. They also valued his common-sense approach and his belief in treating everyone with dignity. Kevan showed tremendous commitment to his profession through his pro bono work for Lawyers Concerned For Lawyers Inc., where he served as a board member. Kevan’s love and admiration for his wife, Amy Hughes Hirsch, was evident to all who knew them. After living many years in Ambler, Pa., they fulfilled their dream of moving to Charleston. Kevan’s daughters were his pride and joy. He was a loving father to Sally Newlin Tabor (Josh) of Kennebunk, Maine, and Jennifer F.H. Toole (Taylor) of Arlington, Mass. Kevan took great delight in his granddaughters, Caroline Tabor, Emily Tabor and Charlie Toole. Over the years, Kevan spent many weekends visiting his mother and talking with her about politics and sports. Kevan’s beloved relatives include a brother, Rubin W. Hirsch (Leslie Bulion) of Durham, Conn., and sister, Susan F. Hirsch (Michael P. Sullivan) of Shepherdstown, W.Va. For many years, Hirsch family beach vacations were a special time for the extended family. Kevan cared deeply about the Hughes family, including his mother-in-law, Doris S. Hughes (Richard, deceased) of Salisbury, Md., and sisters-in-law, Susan Mertes (Fred, deceased) of Annapolis, Sarah Hughes of Salisbury, Md., and Abby Marsh (Steve) of Salisbury, Md. Kevan had great affection for his nieces and nephews, who included Julia Hirsch (Brandon Livanos) and Isabel Hirsch, Keegan, Laney, Leighton and Campbell Marsh, Wil Mertes and Peter Benton-Sullivan. Kevan loved to golf. He had many good golfing buddies and most recently was a member of Old York Road Country Club and Kiawah Island Governor’s Club. Kevan had, over the years, played football and rugby and more recently enjoyed walking his trusted lab, Cooper. A role model and mentor, Kevan gave generously of his time and with compassion helped many people in need of support. Kevan was a one-of-a-kind personality. Bold and forthright in his views, he possessed the gift of argument and the ability to solve hard problems. Kevan was the person you would want on your side in a debate, a legal case, or a family discussion. Family, friends and colleagues valued his wry humor, easy laugh, courage, vibrant spirit and capacity for love. For those who want to mark Kevan’s passing with a donation in his memory, please consider The First Tee (Philadelphia), www.firstteephiladelphia.org, and the Coastal Conservation League (South Carolina), www.coastalconservationleague.org/. Due to COVID-19, a memorial service to honor Kevan’s life will be held when gathering together becomes possible.