January 9, 2003

Philanthropist Reuben Feinberg dies at 83

Reuben Feinberg, 83, a major Chicago-area philanthropist, died Dec. 13 at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

Reuben Feinberg

photo by Mary Hanlon

Mr. Feinberg, a leader in Chicago-area real estate and banking, made gifts to North-western totaling more than $103 million from the Joseph and Bessie Feinberg Foundation, a Chicago philanthropic organization.

After his most recent gift of $75 million in February, North-western named its medical school the Feinberg School of Medicine in honor of the Feinberg Foundation, which was created by Reuben Feinberg and his brothers: Bernard, Louis and Samuel Feinberg.

The $75 million gift was the largest single donation to a Chicago-area university, according to a list compiled by The Chronicle of Higher Education. The funds were designated for the medical school’s endowment and will be used to help support teaching and research.

In making this major gift to the University Mr. Feinberg said, “The work done by the medical school in research and teaching is critically important to the future of health care, both in the Chicago area and nationally. I know that my brothers who helped create the foundation would be honored, as I am, to have our name associated with the Northwestern University Medical School.”

President Henry S. Bienen said, “Mr. Feinberg was a warm and generous person whose extraordinary gifts support worthy causes that benefit the Chicago area and its citizens. Reuben Feinberg was a dear friend. He will be deeply missed by me and by the many others whose lives he touched.”

“Mr. Feinberg’s generous gifts will significantly enhance medical education and research at Northwestern,” said Dr. Lewis Landsberg, dean of the medical school and vice president for medical affairs.

Mr. Feinberg was preceded in death by his wife and three brothers. There are no immediate survivors.