David Rockefeller Obituary
David Rockefeller, the patriarch of the Rockefeller family and a former chairman and chief executive of Chase Manhattan Bank, died Monday, March 20, 2017. He was 101.
Rockefeller was quietly one of the leading international figures of the 20th century. Both as a member of the wealthy Rockefeller family and as the chairman and chief executive of Chase Manhattan Bank, he wielded tremendous influence on the world stage. In the wake of World War II, he was a key player in the drive to integrate economics and politics into a single worldwide system.
Writing in his autobiography, "Memoirs," he addressed his critics and explained his goals as he saw them. "Populists and isolationists ignore the tangible benefits that have resulted from our active international role during the past half-century." He continued, "There have been fundamental improvements in societies around the world, particularly in the United States, as a result of global trade, improved communications, and the heightened interaction of people from different cultures."
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Born June 12, 1915, David was the youngest of John D. Rockefeller Jr. and Abby Aldrich Rockefeller's six children. He was raised in luxury in Midtown Manhattan. His father was a financier and philanthropist, and his mother was a socialite who helped establish the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The Rockefeller fortune began with David's grandfather, John D. Rockefeller, who co-founded Standard Oil and was arguably the wealthiest American of all time.
Rockefeller was educated at Harvard University and the London School of Economics. He received his doctorate from the University of Chicago. He found employment after school in the administration of New York City Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army after Pearl Harbor and served in North Africa and France. He served in military intelligence and was stationed at the American Embassy in Paris, as he was fluent in French and had many family and business connections useful to the Allied war effort. He was discharged in 1945 with the rank of captain, and he was awarded the U.S. Legion of Merit and the French Legion of Honor.
Rockefeller joined Chase National Bank in 1946. He oversaw its merger with the Bank of the Manhattan Co. to become Chase Manhattan Bank in 1955. He grew the bank's international business and became the bank's president in 1960. He was named the chairman and chief executive in 1969 and held those titles until 1980. He retired as chairman in 1981. Under his leadership, Chase Manhattan became a pillar of the world banking system. Today it is known as JPMorgan Chase.
The Rockefeller family has also been notable for its focus on philanthropy. David was active alongside his brothers and sister in the establishment and management of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. The fund's stated mission is to "advance social change that contributes to a more just, sustainable, and peaceful world." In 2006, Rockefeller pledged $225 million upon his death to create the David Rockefeller Global Development Fund. Other notable gifts have included $100 million to the Museum of Modern Art and $100 million to Rockefeller University, a postgraduate university in New York City, notable for its work in biomedical research.
Rockefeller married Margaret McGrath, the daughter of a partner in a prominent Wall Street firm, Sept. 7, 1940. They had six children and remained married until her death in 1996.
Rockefeller was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret. He is survived by his children, David Jr., Abigail, Neva, Margaret, Richard, and Eileen Rockefeller, as well as several grandchildren.
