MORGAN STARK

STARK--Morgan B.

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our dear friend and colleague Morgan B. Stark, 75, on April 13, 2015. Born in 1939 in New York, New York, Mr. Stark was a legendary investor, dedicated philanthropist and iconic teacher. He is survived by his wife of nearly half a century, Sidney, sons Nick and Mason, daughter-inlaw Jacqueline, and grandchildren Dante and Nicolette. Mr. Stark was a Managing Member of Ramius, LLC where he served most recently as the Chairman of Ramius Alternative Investments and Head of Macro Trading Strategy. Widely regarded as one of the most respected and knowledgeable investors in the industry, Mr. Stark began his career in the 1960s at Chase Manhattan Bank where he received a comprehensive grounding in syndicate management, municipal bonds, bond trading and sales management. He remained with the company in various roles until he joined Chemical Bank as Senior Vice President and Treasury Department Deputy Head in 1979. Mr. Stark's unwavering dedication to his clients and extraordinary knowledge of the financial markets propelled him into roles of increasing importance within the bank, resulting in his appointment to the role of President and CEO of Chemical Securities, Inc., in 1989. After serving in this role for four years, he joined Granite Capital International Group as a Portfolio Manager and Managing Director to develop a non-correlating investment management business. In 1995, he and Thomas W. Strauss joined Ramius as partners with Peter A. Cohen in the development of Ramius' investment management business. Mr. Stark was widely credited for working with his peers to develop Ramius into a successful alternative investment management business with his unwavering commitment to employees and clients. Mr. Stark served as a member of the Investor Advisory Committee on Financial Markets for the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. He also once chaired the Treasury Borrowing Advisory Committee of the Bond Market Association, where he was a long time member. Mr. Stark attended the Cornell University Industrial Labor Relations School and held a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from New York University. He served for three and a half years in the U.S. Marine Corps. In addition to his professional accomplishments, employees recognized Mr. Stark for his generosity and commitment to the long-term welfare of his employees. As Managing Member of Ramius he advocated for employees to have access to a wide range of estate, retirement planning and health care programs and personally advised many colleagues on their use. Known as a skilled raconteur and bon vivant, Mr. Stark had no shortage of hobbies, including music, skiing and golfing. A dedicated gardener, Mr. Stark took up bee keeping in his effort to enhance his floral garden in North Haven, New York. In 2005, Mr. and Mrs. Stark were invited to dinner by legendary violinist and oenophile Itzhak Perlman. Mr. Stark, eager to share his love of fine wines, brought a 1982 Chateau Lynch-Bages. Perlman, it turns out, had planned to serve the very same Bordeaux. A quick friendship developed and Mr. Stark soon after became President of the Board of Directors of the Perlman Music Program where he committed himself to helping the Program renovate its campus to meet the future needs of young musicians. In 2011, Mr. Stark told The Wall Street Journal that his work with the Program, "Fills my soul," and that the young musicians he had met, "are people that if they don't become the next best and the greatest cello or violin player, they are likely to be doctors or lawyers. But they will be wonderful people." Mr. Stark was active in a number of industry and philanthropic activities including his position as a member of the Investment Committee for the American Heart Association--Heritage Affiliate. He also previously served as President, Vice President, and member of the Board of Directors of the Dealer Bank Association and as a trustee to various charitable organizations including the Stires-Stark Foundation. Donations may be made in Mr. Stark's memory to The Perlman Music Program, 19 West 69th Street, Suite 304, New York, NY 10023. You will be missed. Peter Cohen, Tom Strauss, Jeff Solomon and your friends at Cowen and Ramius