Trustee and neurosciences benefactor Ernest J. Del Monte dies

First Del Monte Distinguished Professor installed

Ernest J. Del Monte, visionary, philanthropist and University of Rochester Trustee from 1998 to the time of his death, died April 21, 2012. He was 87.

With a $10 million gift to the University in 2009, Del Monte and his late wife, Thelma, made a commitment to support the study of some of the most progressive research programs in the field of neurosciences to translate neurobiological discoveries into better health for all.

The Ernest J. Del Monte Neuromedicine Insti­tute was named in his honor.

Among Del Monte’s many business achievements is pioneering the construction of hotels using modular units. This approach, for which he received more than 20 patents, has since been used to construct hotels around the world. In 1972, Del Monte developed a relationship with the Marriott Corporation, and today the company owns and operates 17 Marriott hotels throughout New York.

In addition to his support of the Institute, Del Monte established the Ernest and Thelma Del Monte Distinguished Professorship in Neuro­medicine, to show his appreciation for the Medical Center’s health care services and its broad mission of education and research.

Webster H. Pilcher, M.D., Ph.D. (MD ’83, PhD ’83, R ’89) was installed in March as the first distinguished professor for his outstanding contributions to the Department of Neuro­surgery and vision for the Del Monte Institute. Pilcher was appointed chair of the department in 2002.

School of Medicine and Dentistry Dean, Mark Taubman, M.D., explained that Pilcher’s goal is to bring a large group of scientists, working among eight departments and within different centers, into one state-of-the-art research building.

Endowed professorships are a key initiative for the School as part of The Meliora Challenge: The Campaign for the University of Rochester.