Northwestern Remembers Reuben Feinberg
“A straight-talking, unassuming, and generous man….who enjoyed life….who was committed to improving health care for the people of Chicago….who gave Northwestern a big boost.”
These were among the many attributes describing Reuben Feinberg heard by friends, colleagues, and family members when they gathered May 19 in Thorne Auditorium on Northwestern University’s Chicago campus to celebrate the life of the former Chicago businessman who passed away December 13, 2002.
Although serendipity brought her uncle to Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s emergency room in 1987, said Janice Feinberg, PharmD, JD, Mr. Feinberg played out his commitment to improving health care by “investing” in Northwestern. His generosity and that of the Joseph and Bessie Feinberg Foundation led to creating the Feinberg Cardiovascular Research Institute, Frances Feinberg Clinical Neurosciences Research Institute, and an endowed professorship in ophthalmology as well as the naming of the Feinberg Pavilion at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the renaming of Northwestern’s medical school to the Feinberg School of Medicine.
Northwestern University President Henry Bienen thanked Mr. Feinberg for “being my friend and having such an impact on the institution.”
“The greatest tribute to Reuben Feinberg,” said his niece, “is that through his generosity, Northwestern will continue to be a leader in research, education, and patient care.”
Other speakers at the memorial service were Lewis Landsberg, MD, vice president for medical affairs and dean, Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine; Rabbi Michael Siegel of Anshe Emet Synagogue; and Gary Mecklenburg, president and CEO of Northwestern Memorial HealthCare. Opera singer Sherrill Milnes, Johns Evans Professor of Music at Northwestern University, performed two selections.