Richard J. Fox | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 8, 1927 |
| Died | February 9, 2020 (aged 92) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Education | Central High School |
| Alma mater | Georgia Institute of Technology |
| Occupation | Property developer |
| Years active | 1953 to 2020 |
| Board member of | Temple Board of Trustees |
| Spouse | Geraldine Fox |
| Children | Harry Fox, Jennifer Fox, Frederic Fox, Celia Fox, Michael Fox |
| Parent(s) | Fred Fox, Zena Witlin Fox |
Richard James Fox (November 8, 1927 – February 9, 2020) was an American property developer, entrepreneur and philanthropist. He served as the Chairman of Fox Companies, a property construction, development and management company in Eastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey, and Planalytics, a weather analytics company.
Early life
Richard J. Fox was born in 1927. [1] He grew up in the Germantown- Mount Airy neighborhoods of Philadelphia. [1]
Fox was educated at the Central High School, a public high school from which he graduated in 1945. [1] Fox enlisted in the Navy to serve in World War II, where he learned how to fly, which became a lifelong passion of his. He graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1950, where he received a bachelor of science degree in engineering. [2] He served in the Korean War of 1950–1953. [3]
Career
Fox co-founded Fox Companies, a property construction, development and management firm in Eastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey, with his brother Robert. [3] [4] He served as its Chairman. [3] [5] The firm has developed many buildings, including the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia. [4] Additionally, they developed the town of Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania. [1] [2]
Additionally, Fox served as the Chairman of Planalytics, a weather analytics company., [3] [5] and Quantum Pest Management, a revolutionary, non-chemical, insect management technology.
Political activity
Fox was a co-founder of the Republican Jewish Coalition. [3] [5] He served as its first Chairman, and served as its honorary chairman. [3] Fox served as the Chairman of the Jewish Policy Center. [3] He was the Pennsylvania State Chairman for Ronald Reagan's presidential campaign in 1980, and the national finance chair of Jack Kemp's 1988 presidential campaign. [5] Fox served as the co-chairman of the New Horizon Council.
Philanthropy
Fox served on the Board of Trustees of Temple University continuously for 53 years. [3] [6] He served as its Chairman for 17 years from 1982 to 1999, when the Fox School of Business and Management was named in his honor. [1] [2] He was the 1996 recipient of an honorary doctorate of humane letters. [3]
Death
Fox died from natural causes on February 9, 2020, in his Center City Philadelphia apartment at the age of 92. [7]
Personal life
Fox was married to his wife, Geraldine for 64 years. Together they had 5 children and 7 grandchildren. [4] Fox flew planes for 64 years from the age of 17 until he stopped at the age of 81. He enjoyed politics, Jewish affairs and golf. [1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f Infield, Tom (October 12, 2005). "Venerable builder reflects on boom times gone by". Philly.com. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
- ^ a b c "Company Overview of Planalytics, Inc.: Richard J. Fox". Bloomberg Business. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Who We Are: Board Members". Planalytics. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
- ^ a b c "Richard J. Fox". Fox School of Business and Management. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
- ^ a b c d "Richard J. Fox - Biography: Chairman". Jewish Policy Center. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
- ^ "Board of Trustees". Temple University. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
- ^ "Richard J. Fox, real estate developer and namesake of Temple's business school, dies at 92". Philadelphia Inquirer. 9 February 2020. Retrieved February 10, 2020.