The Cooper Union community mourns the passing of Richard Menschel, a remarkable philanthropist, civic leader, and devoted friend of the college whose generosity and vision have enriched generations of Cooper Union students and scholars. He was 92.

“Richard Menschel believed deeply in the promise of curious minds and bold ideas,” said Cooper Union President Steven McLaughlin. “Through his enduring partnership with Ronay and the Menschel family, he helped create programs and spaces at Cooper Union that encourage students to explore the world with imagination, rigor, and civic purpose. His legacy will continue to inspire our students and faculty for many years to come, and we hold Ronay and the entire Menschel family in our thoughts with deep gratitude and admiration.”

Mr. Menschel first came to know The Cooper Union through John Jay Iselin, who served as the college’s president from 1988 to 2000. Through his leadership role with the Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation, he helped establish the Benjamin Menschel Fellowship Program to Support Creative Inquiry in 1994, named in honor of his father. For decades, the fellowship has empowered Cooper students to pursue ambitious independent research and creative exploration across disciplines.

Over time, the Menschel family’s generosity expanded to support numerous initiatives across the institution, including the Benjamin Menschel Civic Projects Laboratory in 41 Cooper Square, the Benjamin Menschel Multi-Disciplinary Scholarships, the Benjamin Menschel Faculty Fellowship, and the Benjamin Menschel Distinguished Lecture series, which has welcomed leading cultural and civic voices to campus.

Spaces across campus also reflect the depth of the Menschel family’s partnership with Cooper Union, including the Benjamin Menschel Common Room in the student residence hall and the Benjamin Menschel Board Room in 41 Cooper Square.

The Menschel family’s partnership with Cooper Union reflects a remarkable and enduring commitment to the institution’s mission of intellectual curiosity, creativity, and community engagement. Today, the influence of Richard’s vision can be seen across campus—in classrooms, studios, and public spaces where interdisciplinary inquiry continues to flourish.

Beyond Cooper Union, Mr. Menschel was widely admired for his distinguished career at Goldman Sachs, where he served as partner and member of the firm’s management committee, and for his extraordinary philanthropic leadership supporting cultural, educational, and medical institutions across New York and the nation. His contributions to organizations including the Museum of Modern Art, the Morgan Library & Museum, the Jewish Museum, Rockefeller University, and the Hospital for Special Surgery reflected a lifelong commitment to strengthening public institutions and expanding access to knowledge and culture.

Richard Menschel is survived by his wife, Ronay Arlt Menschel, former Deputy Mayor of New York City and a distinguished civic leader, as well as their three daughters. The Cooper Union extends its deepest sympathy to Mrs. Menschel and the entire Menschel family, with profound gratitude for Richard Menschel’s extraordinary generosity, vision, and belief in the power of education and creative inquiry.

His life stands as a powerful example of how thoughtful philanthropy, intellectual curiosity, and civic commitment can shape institutions and expand opportunities for generations to come.