Montefiore Medicine Mourns the Loss of Einstein Board Chair, Roger W. Einiger
Dear Montefiore Einstein Community:
It is with a heavy heart that we share with you that earlier today we lost a devoted and loyal friend, Roger W. Einiger, chair of the Einstein Board of Trustees. Roger assumed the role of Board chair in 2015, succeeding Dr. Ruth Gottesman, and it is fair to say that few people have played a more important leadership role in the recent history of our institution. In addition to being a dedicated champion of Einstein and the work we do here, he was also unfailingly gracious, thoughtful and kind. He will be sorely missed.
Steady Leadership & Support
Among his many contributions, Roger led the Campaign to Transform Einstein, a capital campaign that raised nearly $200 million for the College of Medicine, and helped Einstein navigate our historic partnership with Montefiore Medicine. Most recently, he has helped steer us through the turbulent challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. For these and many other reasons, we presented Roger with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters during our 2020 commencement.
Roger joined the Einstein Board in 2005 and served as the Board’s treasurer, chair of the executive committee, and chair of the budget and finance committee, for which he was eminently qualified through his nearly two decades serving as president of the private investment firm, Hardscrabble Investments, LLC. Roger joined the Montefiore Board in 2014, the year before Einstein and Montefiore completed their historic partnership.
Roger’s experience in investment banking gave him the skill to provide Einstein leadership with invaluable financial advice. His service continued his family’s long relationship with Einstein: his parents, Jack and Glory Einiger, were among the College of Medicine’s earliest supporters and were members of our Society of Founders.
Over his lifetime, Roger and his family have generously supported all aspects of Einstein’s mission and strengthened its position as a research powerhouse, top-ranking academic destination, and force for social good. His incredible legacy will carry us far into the future.
Despite his enormous expertise and the major role he played at Einstein, Roger was notably self-effacing and camera shy. Because of his personal modesty, Roger did not seek the limelight; at his request, his photo rarely appeared in Einstein publications or on the website.
His Life and Career
Before taking leadership at Hardscrabble in 2001, for 30 years Roger was at Oppenheimer & Co., the full-service brokerage and investment bank, and its successor companies, where he was responsible for the finance, operations, technology, and human resources departments. He held multiple positions within the organization, including controller, executive vice president, chief administrative officer, and vice chair. Roger was also a consultant to Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce.
Born in New York City on November 18, 1947, Roger earned his bachelor’s degree in economics at the University of Pennsylvania and master’s in business administration from the NYU Stern School of Business.
In addition to his support for Einstein, Roger was also active with several other philanthropic entities, including the UJA-Federation of NY.
Roger is survived by his wife Carol and their son Joshua, daughter-in-law Julie, grandson Jacob, and his sister, Ellen. We will share the details for any memorial service or shiva once we have the details.
Sincerely,
Philip O. Ozuah, MD, PhD
President and Chief Executive Officer
Montefiore Medicine
Gordon F. Tomaselli, MD
Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz Dean
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Ruth L. Gottesman, EdD
Acting Chair
Einstein Board of Trustees
Daniel R. Tishman
Chair
Montefiore Medicine Board of Trustees