RICHARD FURLAUD

FURLAUD--Richard M.

The Trustees, faculty, and staff of The Rockefeller University mourn the death of our beloved friend and Chairman Emeritus Richard M. Furlaud. A man of exceptional charm, generosity of spirit, and deep-rooted integrity, Dick Furlaud was an inspiring leader and a widely respected executive. He served for many years as chairman and CEO of Squibb Corporation, retiring in 1991 as president of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company after overseeing the successful merger of the two companies. Twice called out of retirement to lead major corporations, he later served as non-executive chairman of American Express Company and as chairman and CEO of International Flavors & Fragrances. At Rockefeller, Dick was a trusted advisor to five university presidents, bringing to his philanthropic work the leadership skills, keen intelligence, and extraordinary energy that made him so successful in business. He began his association with Rockefeller in 1973 as a founding member of The Rockefeller University Council. In 1976, Dick joined the university's Board of Trustees, on which he chaired the Budget Committee and served on the Executive, Finance, Hospital, and Development Committees. In 1990, he was elected Chairman of the Board, a position he held until 1998. With Dick as chair and Torsten Wiesel as president, the university experienced an unprecedented period of growth that saw the creation of 30 new laboratories. This expansion would not have been possible without Dick's expert guidance and the pivotal role he played in strengthening the university's finances and increasing private philanthropic support. Dick stepped down as Chairman in 1998, when he reached the mandatory retirement age of 75. At that point, many people would have been content to leave demanding philanthropic positions to others; not Dick Furlaud. He went on to chair The Rockefeller University Council for the next ten years. Dick was a passionate advocate for basic science and committed to educating the next generation of biomedical investigators. His substantial contributions to The Rockefeller University and to scientific advancement were formally recognized in 1998, when he was awarded an honorary degree. With his wife, Isabel, a co-founder of our Women & Science program, Dick was a frequent visitor to campus and a generous benefactor throughout his life. The Richard M. and Isabel P. Furlaud Professorship, established in 1997, honors Dick and Isabel in perpetuity at The Rockefeller University. We extend our deepest sympathy to Isabel; to Dick's three children, Eleanor Adam, Tamsin Rachofsky, and Richard M. Furlaud, Jr.; and to the entire Furlaud family. William Ford, Chair; Russell Carson, Chair Emeritus; Richard Lifton, President; Torsten Wiesel, President Emeritus; Thomas Sakmar, Richard M. and Isabel P. Furlaud Professor; Marnie Imhoff, Senior Vice President for Development