ANDREW BLUM Obituary

BLUM--Andrew M., age 89, died on May 18 at his home in New York City, with his loving wife of forty seven years, Felicia, at his side. He is survived by three children: Marcia Compton, Olivia Brown and Drew Blum, all of North Carolina, eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. He also had two stepchildren: Edwin Stebbins and Richard Stebbins. He attended Hobart College in Geneva, New York, and was in the US Naval Reserve 1949-1969. His legendary career on Wall Street spanned over sixty years during which time he was a friend and mentor to many. He was a longtime partner of C.E. Unterberg Towbin Co. and a Managing Director of NASDAQ. At the time of his death a Managing Partner of C.L. King & Associates. He was also a Trustee of The Boys Club of New York, President of The Bond Club and Chairman of Hyde Hall. He enjoyed sports, tennis in particular, and travel. There will be a private burial in Cooperstown, New York, in the summer, and a Celebration of Life in New York City in the fall. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his name to Hyde Hall Inc, P.O. Box 721, Cooperstown, New York 13326 or Bassett Hospital, 1 Atwell Rd., Cooperstown, New York 13326.

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Published by New York Times on May 24, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for ANDREW BLUM

9 Entries

Fiona Bensen (wife of Tod Bensen, deceased)

June 19, 2024

I only knew Andy through my beloved, now late, husband, Tod Bensen, who worked for him at LF Rothschild out of college in the early eighties. Tod respected, admired and loved Andy for his business acumen and his strength of character. He thought he was an extraordinary man. He was a father figure to him. Andy and Tod stayed in contact long after Tod moved to London to continue his investment banking career, but the two stayed in contact and met up whenever Tod was in NYC. I only just found out about Andy's passing. Flip - I am so sorry for your unfathomable loss. I do hope you are doing okay and that you are surrounded by the love of your combined families. Warmly and with heartfelt sympathy. Fiona

George Horace Baldwin

May 15, 2024

My Uncle, Bob Kelly, was a Partner of Gregory & Sons when it was flying high. So was Andy Blum. Alas, my Uncle had a heart attack at work, and died in Andy's arms. So, why am I telling you this? Because I interviewed for a job at Unterberg, Towbin on Andy's Syndicate Staff. During our Interview, when the conversation turned to Bob Kelly; Andy pulled a handful of change out of his pocket, extracted a Silver Dollar, showed it to me and said "You Uncle gave this to me shortly before he died; and I have carried it with me every day since." Andy was the prototypical Wall Street heavyweight; tall, impeccably dressed, handsome, gregarious, chatty, funny; I never heard him utter an angry or unpleasant word about anyone. He was to the Manor Born, but always was understated. People admired him and he received many honors and Appointed Positions. New York in general and Wall Street in particular were better places because of Andy. I learned SO MUCH from him and unfortunately never thanked him proportionately. George Baldwin

Richard Stebbins

May 18, 2021

We think about you often especially today on the first anniversary of your passing. Let’s pray that they have some really good fish berry jam up there because you loved it so much and of course a really fine vintage of wine. Pouring the bubbles is one of your favorite pastimes and you always had the best champagne in stock. We all miss you and we think about you much love as always, affectionately, Richard

Dick Fiducia

June 4, 2020

Andy was a dear friend and colleague at L.F.Rothschild, Unterberg, Towbin. We had many great times together including his annual investment dinner at the Brook Club(where most of us showed just how much we didnt know about picking stocks) and lovely dinners at their beautiful home in Manhattan. And of course, we cant ever forget the good times at the Piping Rock Club.

Fliss, we regret having lost touch since we moved to Florida, but we have talked about both of you many, many times.

Please accept our deepest sympathies,and warmest wishes.
May Andrew RIP.

Love Margaret and Dick

Bill Dering

May 29, 2020

Mrs. B and family,
Well, where do I start. It was the summer of 1997 when he first gazed eyes on me. The tech market was booming. Wall Street and New York were bustling with energy like an extravagant scene from the Great Gatsby. I was sitting in his office - a green-as-can-be 22-year old kid, who had just made his way up from Kentucky. No job, no apartment, no clue. I looked a bit out of place and perhaps too naïve to be there. But, for some strange reason he took a liking, and became a mentor and friend ever since.
Someone once said we make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. If thats true, then what an incredible life he made.
I learned so much from him over the years respect, character and how to give just to name a few. I remember clearly one day getting into an elevator with him. A janitor followed along. As all the high-powered, big titled and fancy pin-striped suite investment bankers with their Pink or Hermes ties walked by ignoring the janitor - Mr. B stopped to notice and talk to him, sharing a moment of life and humor. And I saw what it means to respect and make people feel valued. I remember several younger professionals seeking advice he would always help them see what was best, even if it wasnt best for him personally or the firm. I saw integrity and character. In a world of high-speed status chasers and Wall Street antics, he was truly one of the good guys.
He gave so much. He invited me to the famous investment dinner at the Brook Club, Cooperstown for a weekend, The River Club for tennis and, even leant me an older pair of Tuxedo Slipper shoes, which I still have to this day. He was always offering to make interesting introductions (and I learned the value of growing/maintaining my network). One late April Saturday afternoon in 1998 he was shaking his head at me, as I had procrastinated and was now having trouble finding a dinner reservation that evening for my 1-year dating anniversary with Katie (my wife now), or the Murph as he affectionately referred to her. With a chuckle he called the 21 Club (only minutes earlier the hostess had laughed me off the phone trying to make a reservation) and got us a prime time spot. When we arrived at our table, there were glasses of champagne waiting from him. Twenty years later, Katie and I went to the 21 Club for our anniversary dinner. As we looked over the menu, the waiter surprised us with glasses of champagne. I had mentioned to the waiter our anniversary, but then noticed a note Congratulations, The Blums. I remember wondering why he was so generous and caring, and why I deserved it. He made me feel like I mattered. It is moments like those that remind us of how special life and friendships can be.
Over the years, we had many conversations talking every 8-10 weeks. The phone would ring with an affectionate and mocking intro Willlld Bill! We would talk politics, Wall Street, family, ethics but always with some good wit and humor mixed in. He had many tall stories, with great names and witty endings including some about his Hobart buddies, his youth, our dinner in London in 2000 (dont ask!!!) and good old times with the Rothschild crew (half the characters in these stories had names that felt like a Bond movie!). While he wasnt perfect, he wasnt afraid to call out his own mistakes similar to how a father shares with his son his mistakes in hopes the son can do better. It was authentic, caring and nothing short of utter selflessness. Most of all, I remember how he would be interested in me, and be ready to just listen. He really just cared about, and enjoyed, people. It was this empathy, caring and great wit that made him so beloved. He made people feel like they mattered. And I think this was one of the most noble things Ive ever learned from him.
Last year, I wrote him a note sharing how he had impacted my life and some of the above. A few months ago, we were catching up as we always did, when he paused and got silent. Then, thanked me for my friendship, as if recognizing that our time might be limited. Recognizing the same, I choked up, trying to find the words to express all this. I told him I loved him. He then responded with one of his famous expressions, ditto and ended the call as he always had - saying give a hug to the Murph!
We are sad today and thinking about you. He is with God now, but forever in our hearts. Mr. B will be part of me for the rest of my life. Thank you for sharing him with us.
Wild Bill

Simone Taylor

May 26, 2020

I know that even though you have a loss, you still have some great memories. I hope those memories will give you comfort in knowing God is with you and your family lean on him in your time of sorrow.

Ed Cox

May 25, 2020

I knew him as an investment banker from my work as a young lawyer representing Unterberg Towbin and Later as a dedicated Republican and friend. A wonderful man with a big heart and a sharp mind, he was a great American always concerned for the future of our Country.

Richard Stebbins

May 25, 2020

He was a generous and kind giving person. He also happened to be my stepfather. He did so much for others to his kind words thoughtful advice and mentorship of many young people gained a huge following in a circle of friends. It seems everybody knew him oh yeah I know Andrew Blum was the typical response From many people. He is now at peace thank God and one day I will meet him again.

Stuart Cohn

May 24, 2020

I was very saddened to learn about Andy passing away
I worked for Andy at Gregory& Sons
Those days were the happiest of my business career
He was one of those guys that
Come along once in your lifetime

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