What happened to Steve Kerr’s father?

Dubs head coach Steve Kerr has been one of the most successful figures in the NBA. With a combined tally of nine championships as a player and later as the Golden State Warriors manager, Kerr has had an epic professional career on the court and from the sidelines. But exactly how much do we know about Steve Kerr’s father Malcolm Kerr who was assassinated in 1984?

Malcolm Kerr was originally born in Lebanon on October 8, 1931. Both of Malcolm’s parents were lecturers at the American University of Beirut, Lebanon. Although he spent his early childhood in Beirut, Malcolm finished high school in the States and eventually pursued higher education at Princeton. 

After completing his undergraduate degree and master’s, Malcolm started teaching as a professor and in the meantime met Ann Zwinker who would be his future wife. His teaching career took him back to Lebanon and there he was appointed president of the American University of Beirut. But it was soon after that tragedy struck their happy family and changed things forever.

What happened to Steve Kerr’s father?

In 1984, when Malcolm Kerr was living in Lebanon with his wife and children, he was brutally shot by Lebanese terrorists as a statement against the US government. Malcolm was then serving as president of the American University of Beirut and his tragic death shuddered the entire nation.

Malcolm Kerr and Steve Kerr (via AUB archives and Imago)

Even Ronald Reagan, then-US president, was disturbed by Malcolm’s ‘untimely and tragic‘ death. Kerr was shot in front of his office twice in the head.

Steve was only 18 years old at the time, and his father’s barbaric murder scalded the future basketball legend so early in life.

Steve Kerr on his father’s tragic death 

Although the Golden Warriors’ coach seldom talks about his personal life, in an interview with Arab News, Steve Kerr opened up about his father’s death. 

My mom and younger brother Andrew were living with him [Malcolm Kerr] there on campus. He was killed outside his office coming out of an elevator. He was shot by a gunman. An act of terrorism just devastated our family.
Steve Kerr to Arab News.

Steve Kerr (via Imago)

Kerr went on to open his heart about the grief of losing his dad so early in his life. He shared candid words regarding the remorse of never having his dad watch him play basketball in the NBA.

When you lose a parent at an early age, you think about everything — how much my dad would’ve enjoyed watching me play basketball professionally. It was something we wouldn’t have even dreamt of.
Kerr on missing his father.

Steve’s father Malcolm Kerr was also an enthusiast of the sport and played basketball with his kids. Kerr spoke of his happy childhood when his father used to play with him and his brother.

My dad loved to play basketball. He loved watching me play. We used to play in the driveway together with my older brother John. We’d watch UCLA games together and cheer for UCLA.
Kerr reminisced his memories of his father.

Surely, Malcolm Kerr would have been proud to watch his son dominate the NBA courts and build a dynasty with the Dubs form the sidelines.

FAQs

Q. When did Steve Kerr’s father die?

Steve Kerr’s father died in 1984 at the hands of Lebanese Lebanese terrorists in Beirut. 

Q. How many NBA rings has Steve Kerr won?

Steve Kerr has won a total of nine NBA rings in his professional career, five as a player and four as a manager to date. 

Q. Which franchise drafted Steve Kerr in the NBA?

The Phoenix Suns drafted Steve Kerr in the 1988 NBA draft. 

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