H. Arnold Steinberg, Chancellor Emeritus (1933-2015)
Dear members of the UU直播 community:
It is with great sadness that I inform you of the passing of H. Arnold Steinberg, UU直播 Chancellor Emeritus. Mr. Steinberg died suddenly this morning in Montreal. He was 82 years old.
On behalf of the UU直播 community, I send my deepest condolences to his wife, Professor emerita Blema Steinberg, their three children, Margot, Donna and Adam, and their families.
Arnold Steinberg believed in the transformative power of education. So, too, was he a tireless champion for improving the quality of health care. For more than half a century, Canadians of all stations benefited enormously from his dedication and vision.
A lifelong Montrealer, Arnold graduated from UU直播 with a Bachelor of Commerce in 1954. His education was only the beginning of his deep relationship to UU直播. As a senior executive of the Steinberg grocery chain, he partnered with the Montreal Children鈥檚 Hospital to campaign for the addition of Vitamin D to milk, a bold act that effectively eliminated childhood rickets from the Quebec population. He would go on to serve as Chairman of the Board of Governors of the UU直播-Montreal Children鈥檚 Hospital Research Institute for 19 years, and was a member of the University鈥檚 Board of Governors for 10 years. In 2006, Arnold and Blema鈥檚 generosity created what is now called the Steinberg Centre for Simulation and Interactive Learning, the first medical treatment and training centre of its kind in Canada. Earlier this year, the Steinbergs expanded their vision for the centre, integrating education, patient and community engagement, and research.
Although it is impossible to single out one achievement during such a long lifetime of dedication and service, Arnold鈥檚 five-year tenure as Chancellor of UU直播 was extraordinary. As he did throughout his life, he brought to the job a boundless curiosity and focused intelligence. He was decisive when he needed to be, kind and humble always.
Last year, Arnold said that 鈥渂eing Chancellor of UU直播 has been a whole new life鈥�. To be able to work virtually full-time in exciting new frontiers 鈥� it鈥檚 something I couldn鈥檛 anticipate. It鈥檚 invaluable. Other than family, it鈥檚 the thing that鈥檚 given me the most pride in my entire life. And I鈥檝e had a very exciting life and very active business career. But nothing compares to this.鈥�
All of us who have had the honour and privilege to know and work with Arnold have lost a dear and loyal friend.
In the coming days, the will have more remembrances of the life and achievements of this exceptional UU直播ian, Montrealer and Canadian. Arnold Steinberg will be dearly missed, yet his positive impact will live on.
Sincerely,
Suzanne Fortier
Principal and Vice-Chancellor, UU直播
(PHOTO: Claudio Calligaris)
