In Memoriam

Robert G. Lenz CE'50

Robert Gerard Lenz CE'50, 94 years old, passed away at his home in Port Saint Lucie Florida on August 4, 2022. He was born and raised in New York City.

Bernard Marson AR'63

Bernard Marson AR'63, who as an architect and developer figured prominently in the transformation of a Lower Manhattan industrial district into SoHo, died on July 9, 2022.

Eugene "Gene" Light A'54

Eugene "Gene" Light A'54, died at the age of 90 from chronic respiratory failure at his home in White Plains, New York on August 6, 2022 surrounded by his family. He was born in Brooklyn, New York on December 7, 1931.

Richard J. Slember ME'55

Richard J. Slember ME'55 died peacefully on July 27, 2021 surrounded by his children. Richard was born September 21, 1933, in Glen Head, New York, to Virginia and Joseph Slember.

  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.