Longtime Board of Trustees Member Robert English ’56 Passes Away
English was actively involved in the College’s alumni community.
Robert D. (Bob) English ’56 of Sands Point, N.Y. passed away on Sunday, April 16 at the age of 83.
An active philanthropist, English became chairman of the alumni annual giving program in 1983 and was elected to the board of trustees in 1986. English took the annual giving program to new levels of success and organized the Wall Street Seminar Series, beginning in 1985. He was a member of the board of trustees executive, development and nomination committees.
English graduated from Bishop Loughlin High School before attending Manhattan College, where he was part of the mile relay team that held the United States record. He anchored the Met mile relay championship team at the Penn Relays and was a member of four IC4A and six Metropolitan championship teams, earning him a spot in the Manhattan College Athletics Hall of Fame. English graduated in 1956 with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and was the recipient of an honorary doctorate of humane letters at the 1997 Fall Honors Convocation.
After college, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps., where he was an officer for 10 years and attained the rank of captain. English started his career with the New York Telephone Company, transitioned to selling insurance with Mutual of New York, and then moved his family to Michigan to enter the investment industry with Bache and Company. He then returned to New York and became a partner at Neuberger and Berman until his retirement.
English was also a member of Covenant House, the Wounded Marine Semper Fi Fund, Port Washington Port Youth Activities, and various other local charities.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Patsy, his four children and his nine grandchildren. The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Wounded Marine Semper Fi Fund.