ALEXANDER FORGER

FORGER--Alexander D. The Rockefeller University community is profoundly saddened by the death of our cherished friend Alexander D. Forger, who was a beloved member of our Board of Trustees and one of our country's great citizens. An eminent lawyer specializing in trusts and estates, Alex spent his entire career at Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy. He joined the firm in 1950, became a partner in 1958, and served as chairman from 1984 to 1992. A lifelong humanitarian and the personification of "integrity" and "service," Alex was the rare individual who derived much of his greatest satisfaction in life from his pro bono efforts. In addition to his distinguished law practice, Alex worked tirelessly and effectively to promote justice and opportunity for all Americans. From 1984 to 1993, he served as chairman of the Legal Aid Society, and from 1994 to 1997 as president of the Legal Services Corporation, a federally funded, independent organization that provides legal assistance to people in need. We are grateful that Rockefeller University also occupied a special place in Alex's life and heart. For more than four decades, he played a vital role in many facets of the University -- as a friend, advocate, and Trustee. His impact was transformative. Alex first became involved with Rockefeller in 1973, when he agreed to serve as a founding member of our Committee on Trust and Estate Gift Plans, which he chaired from 1976 to 1984. In 1978, Alex also joined the University's Board of Trustees. A trusted advisor and confidant to Rockefeller presidents and their executive staff, Alex was a prime mover in building the University's Development Program, elevating private support for Rockefeller to impressive new levels and introducing many wonderful benefactors and future Trustees to the institution. In 1999, in recognition of Alex's brilliant leadership, enormous generosity, and, more broadly, his important pro bono work on behalf of many institutions, Alex was presented with the David Rockefeller Award for Extraordinary Service to the University. We were blessed by Alex's many years of friendship. We will miss his keen intelligence and grace, as well as his sharp wit and terrific sense of humor. We send our deepest sympathy to his children, James, Sally, Martha, and John, and to his entire family. Board Chair William Ford, President Richard Lifton, President Emeritus Torsten Wiesel, Vice President for Medical Affairs Barry Coller, Senior Vice President for Development Marnie Imhoff, The Rockefeller University