Bert Wolstein, Case benefactor, dead at 77
Was major donor to research building shared by Case, University Hospitals
May 17, 2004
Bertram L. "Bart" Wolstein, a major figure in the real estate development industry and along with his wife Iris a significant donor to Case Western Reserve University, died Monday . He was 77.
Bart Wolstein and Iris were best known at the University for their $25 million gift toward the Iris S. and Bert L. Wolstein Research Building. The building, which was dedicated in October 2003, is operated as a partnership between Case and University Hospitals Health Systems of Cleveland.
Bart and Iris have also been significant donors to the University's Weatherhead School of Management. Their gifts have included $1.5 million to endow the Wolstein Professorship in Management Design and $1 million to renovate a university building for use as a home to the Weatherhead School's undergraduate program. That building has been renamed Iris S. and Bert L. Wolstein Hall. In all the Wolsteins have donated more than $27 million to Case.
In a joint statement Edward M. Hundert, president of Case, and Thomas F. Zenty III, president and chief executive officer of University Hospitals Health Systems said, "Bert Wolstein was a visionary, a farsighted business leader and philanthropist, and a great friend to our two institutions. His entrepreneurial energy and unwavering support for education, health care and freedom here and elsewhere, supported by his wife Iris, made him a world citizen of the highest order.
"Part of his vision for Cleveland was to strengthen and expand the partnership between University Hospitals Health System and Case Western Reserve University, as confirmed by his and Iris' $25 million gift. It was a powerful demonstration of their abiding interest in education and healthcare, and their deep commitment of giving back to their community and helping those less fortunate. Bert was a very special person. He will be sorely missed for the wisdom, drive and compassion that he shared with us, and which will be his legacy."
"Bart Wolstein was a great friend to this University," said Charles P. Bolton, chair of Case's board of trustees. "I truly appreciated his commitment to higher education and health care, exemplified by his and Iris' generous gift to the Research Center. The work performed in that building will be a fitting legacy."
Frank Linsalata, chair-elect of the board of trustees said, "I was looking forward to the benefits of Bart's wisdom and experience in helping guide the University."
"The translation of scientific discoveries into improvements in the health of everyone in Greater Cleveland, and indeed throughout the world, will benefit from the joint efforts of the physicians and scientists working together in the Wolstein Building," said Ralph I. Horowitz, vice president for medical affairs, dean of the Case School of Medicine, and director of the Case Research Institute. "Their cooperation exemplifies Bart's own collaborative approach to problem-solving and will be one of his lasting legacies."
Wolstein was founder and chairman emeritus of Developers Diversified Realty Corporation and founder and president of the Wolstein group and Heritage Development Company, a major developer and operator of shopping centers.
A native of Cleveland, Wolstein graduated from Cleveland Heights High School in 1945 and is a 1949 alumnus of Cleveland College of Western Reserve University, now part of Case. He earned a J.D. from Cleveland State University in 1953. Wolstein began his business career before he was 13, working in a fruit and vegetable store for $2 a day. Later he worked as a vendor at Cleveland Municipal Stadium selling hot dogs. After serving in the U.S. Navy he held a variety of jobs until beginning the practice of law in 1959. At the same time, he was organizing and managing a series of residential construction firms which built homes in the Cleveland area. He founded Developers Diversified in 1965.
In recent years Wolstein had sought to bring a Major League Soccer franchise to Cleveland and construct a stadium in which the team could play. He had previously owned the Cleveland Force, Cleveland's Major Indoor Soccer League franchise.
Wolstein was very active in Jewish philanthropy and organizations. He was a trustee of the Cleveland Jewish Community Federation, a co-chairman of the Jewish Welfare Fund Appeal, and general chairman of the Cleveland Committee for State of Israel Bonds. He and Iris were included among the Chronicle of Philanthropy's list of the nation's 60 top philanthropists in 2003.
In addition, Wolstein was a former trustee of the American Heart Association, the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Metropolitan Opera Society. He formerly chaired the board of trustees of Park Synagogue, the Cleveland Jewish News and the Cleveland Scholarship Program.
Wolstein was the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including "Citizen of the Year" for culture, entertainment and public service by the Cleveland Area Board of Realtors, and the New Life Award from the Jewish Community Federation. He and Iris were the first dual recipients of the B'nai B'rith Golden Medallion Humanitarian Award.
In addition to his wife Iris, Wolstein is survived by a son, Scott Alan; and a daughter, Cheryl Wolstein Faigus.
About Case Western Reserve University
Case is among the nation's leading research institutions. Founded in 1826
and shaped by the unique merger of the Case Institute of Technology and Western
Reserve University, Case is distinguished by its strengths in education, research,
service, and experiential learning. Located in Cleveland, Case offers nationally
recognized programs in the Arts and Sciences, Dental Medicine, Engineering,
Law, Management, Medicine, Nursing, and Social Work. http://www.case.edu.
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