RABINOWITCH VICTOR RABINOWITCH 1934 - 2019 Dr. Victor Rabinowitch of McLean, Virginia, and Jamaica, Vermont, former Senior Vice President of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, passed away on July 1, 2019 after a brief illness. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Eugene and Anna Rabinowitch, and his first wife, Ann Collins Rabinowitch. He is survived by his beloved wife Mary Martha (Marti); sons Nikolai, Peter (Olivia) and Alexander (Kimberly) Rabinowitch; stepsons Andrew and Steven Treichel; grandchildren Kolya, Katia, Lexa, Natasha and Tori Rabinowitch; twin brother Alexander and wife Janet Rabinowitch; niece Ellen Rabinowitch Saul (Vincent) and their children Anna and Jimmy; and nephew Michael Rabinowitch (Lindsey) and their children Ben and Eli. Victor and Alex's parents left Russia in 1918, eventually settling in London where the brothers were born in 1934. The family emigrated to the United States four years later where his father, a Russian-born professor of chemistry, worked on the Manhattan Project and co-founded the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, a journal dedicated to peace and global security. Dr. Rabinowitch, educated as an ecologist, received a bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a master's degree in zoology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he later earned his PhD in a unique combination of zoology and international relations. For over 25 years, Dr. Rabinowitch led programs of the National Academy of Sciences-National Research Council relating to science cooperation around the world. He was especially proud of his role in the creation of the Board on Science and Technology for International Development (BOSTID), whose work achieved global recognition for its efforts in Asia, Africa and Latin America. While Executive Director of the NRC Office of International Affairs, he served concurrently as Director of the NAS Committee on International Security and Arms Control for two years and was deeply involved with the NAS Committee on Human Rights. In 1990 Dr. Rabinowitch was appointed Vice President for Programs of the MacArthur Foundation and in 1993 became Senior Vice President. He oversaw the foundation's work as he made the transition from international science to the world of philanthropy. He retired from the foundation in 2000. Dr. Rabinowitch was a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the American Association for the Advancement of Science and a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He served on the Board of Directors of the California-based Energy Foundation and the U.S. Civilian Research and Development Foundation. He was Chair of the Board of Directors of the Educational Foundation for Nuclear Science, the organization that publishes the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. For more than thirty years he was an active participant in the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of Marlboro College, Marlboro, Vermont, and the Board of Directors of the Grace Cottage (Hospital) Foundation, Townshend, Vermont. Over the course of his career, Dr. Rabinowitch traveled to more than 80 countries where he developed and nurtured programs and relationships with a wide range of individuals and institutions. Combining science and diplomacy, his international spirit inspired others to collaborate with him to create a more peaceful and sustainable world. He was respected by all who had the good fortune to interact with him, displaying a combination of intelligence, perspective and humanity. He was known for his unfailing good humor and rock-solid integrity. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Victor was dedicated to his wife Marti, family and friends, his Russian heritage and his love of Vermont. A graveside memorial will be held at the South Hill Cemetery, Jamaica, Vermont, on July 25, 2019 at 11 a.m. Donations in Victor's memory may be made to Grace Cottage Hospital, PO Box 1, Townshend, Vermont 05353 and the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists online at https://thebulletin.org/giving-donate. Condolences and fond memories may be offered online at https://www.fairfaxmemorialfuneralhome/obituaries.Condolences and fond memories may be offered online at https://www.fairfaxmemorialfuneralhome/obituaries.

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Published by The Washington Post on Jul. 6, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for VICTOR RABINOWITCH

7 Entries

Pamela Gamble

July 24, 2019

I remember Victor R. as the nicest, kindest and funniest person I met at the National Academy of Sciences (BOSTID) when I first started in 1986 and to this day I will remember his smile and laughter. My prayers are with the family.

Lisa Miller

July 19, 2019

Vic was one of the loveliest people I've ever known. I will never forget his many kindnesses to me over the years at the Bulletin. I am so glad I got a chance to see him again here in Washington. He really was a very special person. My deepest sympathies to you Marti and your family for this tremendous loss.

July 14, 2019

Victor was a wonderful father and husband, and cared deeply for his family. He was also a great colleague, mentor, and friend. Vic will be lovingly remembered by a great many people. After working with him for over 40 years, my life has been especially influenced by his friendship and wise counsel. His accomplishments were many, but always achieved with grace and good humor. Deepest sympathy to Marti, Kolya, Peter, Sasha and the entire Rabinowitch family. With love, John Hurley and Linda Wetzel Hurley

Leslie Snowdon-Jones

July 7, 2019

I was saddened to hear of Vic's death. It was always lovely to see him at Pete and Olivia's and see him relish his role as Deshka. I wish I had spent more time with him. I know Vic's legacy of kindness, integrity, intelligence, and good humor will live on in his sons and grandchildren. My love and condolences to Marti and all the family on his passing.

N. S.

July 6, 2019

My deepest sympathy to the family of Victor Rabinowitch. May you be comforted in knowing that our Heavenly Father feels your pain. He will give you strength and courage to cope with your grief. Psalm 94:17-19

P L

July 6, 2019

I am so very sorry for your loss. May the God of all comfort, comfort and sustain you during this difficult time.

Betty and Vin Zito

July 6, 2019

We will remember Victor as our fabulous Vermont landlord, who allowed us to spend 20 years of Autumns and Winters at his beautiful family farmhouse. And when we left to build our own little paradise in Vermont, our friendship continued as we shared many lovely summer dinners with Victor and Marti. A wonderful man; we will miss him greatly.

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