ALICE PRAGER-DRESCHER Obituary

PRAGER-DRESCHER--Alice H., 83, died on February 12, 2014, former Chairman of SESAC Inc., one of three U.S. Performing Rights Organizations. Born on August 2, 1930, in New York City, NY, Alice was the only child of the founder of SESAC, Mr. Paul Heinecke and his wife Ruth. Born at the same time as SESAC was founded, she was exposed to the music industry from a very early age. She was trained by her parents to assume the top command at SESAC. Following her graduation from college in 1951, (holding a BA degree in radio and television from Russell Sage College, Troy, New York, and completed graduate work at New York University's Graduate School of Business Administration), she worked in virtually all departments of SESAC and traveled extensively throughout the country and the world, calling on television and radio stations and representatives abroad. As a young woman, she travelled in post-war Europe and Israel to assist artists who had been displaced and whose artists' rights were in question. Within SESAC, Alice moved from administration and sales, vice president and managing director, president, and was elevated to the post of Chairman in April, 1978. In 1964, Alice and her late husband, George L. Drescher, founded The Personal Touch, a nationally recognized product promotion firm. Throughout her entire life, Alice was extremely active and was a member or served on boards of numerous organizations such as the International Radio and Television Society, the American Institute of Management, the American Women in Radio and Television, the International Association of Women in Radio and Television the Advertising Women of New York, Broadcast Pioneers, Women's Forum, the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, and was a lifetime member of both the Country Music Association and the Gospel Music Association. She was made an honorary citizen of the States of Tennessee and Florida and was named an honorary Kentucky Colonel. She was the founder of the Duke Ellington Cancer Center, which established a cancer screening center for performing artists at St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital's Center for the Performing Arts in New York City. She spent time in her homes in Manhattan, Westhampton Beach, Key West, and Positano. In Key West she was on the board of directors of the Key West Art and Historical Society and the Waterfront Theater. Alice was listed in the National Register of Prominent Americans and International Notables, Who's Who of American Women, Who's Who in the East, Who's Who in Business and Commerce, Foremost Women in Communications, and innumerable music industry trade references. She died a resident of Florida surrounded by loved ones. She will be remembered as an extraordinary woman who was active and devoted to broadcast, advertising, and music sectors. She will be remembered by many and greatly missed by all who knew her.

Published by New York Times on Feb. 23, 2014.
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She was a very good person, I took care of both her and George, traveled with her George and George’s sister Lucille, in Europe. She gave me her dear father’s pocket watch. I cherish it very much, and all of the great memories they gave me. All my love, to you both!

Brad Newbigging

October 27, 2020

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

Herbert Johnson

Coworker

June 29, 2020

The best boss ever

nilsa medina kowalski

Coworker

February 25, 2018

When I first came to SESAC in 1989 and met "Mrs. Prager" she was larger than life. She was a little intimidating at first. She was "the boss". But eventually she warmed up and became very supportive of me and my career at SESAC. I was a young "representative" at the time and she was impressed with all the events and organizations I was involved with. She too had been very involved in the NY music community in her younger years. So, she took an interest in what I was doiong. She especially liked "Women In Music" and supported that group whole heartedly. We hosted all of the meetings and events at the SESAC offices.. she even offered up her beautiful executive conference room which overlooked Central Park. I was priviledged to know her and George and was fortunate to be invited to dinner with them a few times and loved listening to her stories of yester year. Charlie Scully joined us too. She was very supportive and gave her blessing to participate in anything I felt would help build SESAC. I am now a VP celebrating 25 years with the company. I wouldn't be here without her support in my early days. She was a very creative person, classy, elegant and very loyal to her George. I'm sorry to hear of her passing. RIP Mrs. Prager!

Linda Lorence-Critelli

March 24, 2014

Alice Prager hired me right out of High School and provided encouragement and confidence to a rather awkward 18 year old young woman. I will always be grateful to her for taking a chance on me and providing the tools and education to help shape the woman I've become. I've thought of her often in the past 40 years and will continue to be grateful for that part of my life which truly helped shaped the successful (business)woman I've become.

Marian Gordon

March 9, 2014

I'm lighting a candle to her wonderful life.

Lucille Drescher

February 27, 2014

Lucille Drescher, sister-in-law to Alice but we called each other sisters. We met around 1950 and have been close friends ever since. I will miss her very much.

Lucille Drescher

February 27, 2014

Remembering Alice as a member of the family, much loved, will be greatly missed. I still remember one party I attended years ago as a boy while she was with George.

May her Personal Touch up in heaven with George be as creative as she was down here on Earth.

Love always,

Jon Kaufmann

February 24, 2014

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