She's written about sexual misconduct at UC and Stanford, the precarious state of accreditation at City College of San Francisco, and what happens when the UC Berkeley student government discovers a gay rights opponent in its midst. Devoted grandfather of 13 and brother of John (Kathy) Blum. SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF/BCN) - Richard Blum, the husband of Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-California) and a longtime member of the University of California Board of Regents, died Sunday evening after. Blum Centers have since opened at all nine of UC undergraduate campuses, focusing not only on global poverty but also on low-income regions of California and Mexico. Grief researchers say holding that missing funeral service, even a year or more later, can still help us heal. [17], On March 12, 2002, Blum was appointed by California Governor Gray Davis to a 12-year term as one of the Regents of the University of California. Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. Continue reading your article witha WSJ subscription, Already a member? Our nation and our world are better for his work.. He was a self-made millionaire, investor, money manager, mountain climber, distance runner, philanthropist, human-rights activist and friend of the famous, the profile said. Dianne Feinstein and husband Richard Blum celebrate after the mayor cast her ballot. You can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and share it with the family. We're praying to her loved ones and friends in this difficult time. Vice President Kamala Harris said the philanthropist believed we could build a world that respected the rights and essential dignity of all people, and dedicated his life to that aim. [25], Blum was at various times a trustee of The Carter Center; co-chairman of The World Conference of Religions for Peace;[9] member of Governing Council of The Wilderness Society;[5] member of the board of trustees of the Brookings Institution; member of the board of trustees of the American Cancer Society Foundation; member of the board of directors of the National Democratic Institute;[26] and a member of the board of trustees of the Richard C. Blum Center for Developing Economies at the University of California, Berkeley. He always gave Dianne good counsel.. Blum created the Blum Center for Developing Economies at the University of California, Berkeley in order to address global poverty by focusing on education, initiatives and research. President Biden called Blum a friend and a proud son of California who dedicated much of his public life to fighting poverty around the globe. At the same time, the president said, Dick bled Berkeley blue and was fiercely loyal to the University of California he graduated from and helped lead as a regent since 2002. The cause was cancer, according to a statement by Ms. Feinsteins office. "My heart is broken today. Feinstein announced her husband's death in a statement Monday morning that said . 1960s-1970s. What could reparations mean for Black residents of Alameda County? As a financier, he amassed a fortune that he spent on Democrats, helping to propel his wife from San Francisco mayor to a long career in the Senate. Dianne Feinsteins husband Richard Blum dies, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Map: Track this weekends rain in the Bay Area, Dianne Feinsteins husband Richard Blum dies after long battle with cancer, Sen. Dianne Feinstein hospitalized with shingles, Barabak: Its the brand that matters in California Senate race, East Bay Rep. Barbara Lee kicks off U.S. Senate campaign in Oakland, Schiff, Porter take early lead in race for Dianne Feinsteins Senate seat, Opinion: California needs a progressive senator to succeed Feinstein. Times staff writers Jennifer Haberkorn and Nolan McCaskill contributed to this report. He was the type of man who really replaced his divot in life, who left things better than he found them. In his younger days he was a boxing enthusiast, going by the name of Sonny Niles. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke about Blums contributions to San Francisco, the city the Democrat represents. Dick was more than a friend, Lansing said. Sen. Feinstein's husband, University of California Regent Richard Blum, was named Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020, by the state auditor's office as one of the regents involved in admissions scandal where UC wrongly admitted dozens of wealthy, mostly white students as favors to well-connected people. please know i've been thinking of your beautiful family all week .my deepest regards lois, Dear Jane and John, All the trustees join me in expressing our condolence and deepest sympathy at your father's passing. He has advised Presidents Obama, Clinton and Carter on economic policy, Yudof said, noting that Blum was especially proud of Feinstein, Californias senior senator, the first woman to chair the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and his wife of 42 years. Earlier in her career she wrote about education for The Atlantic in Washington, D.C. She graduated from UC San Diego with a BA degree in political science with a minor in communication. This memorial website was created in memory of Alma Blum, 92, born on May 25, 1905 and passed away on December 18, 1997. He attended Wall Lake Community School and graduated with the class of 1961. The Man Behind the Woman Who Would Be Governor : Politics: Dianne Feinsteins husband, Richard Blum, is a shrewd businessman, a friend of the famous, with a Lt. Blum, the husband of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., has died after a long battle with cancer. Feinstein has represented California in the U.S. Senate since 1992. San Francisco financier Richard Charles Blum, whose extraordinary life took him from the halls of power in Washington as the husband of U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein to the mountains of Nepal and. It's surprising how much a musical selection can affect mourning. For 30 years, Elaine and I have been privileged to cross paths with Dianne and Dick in a number of ways, both professional and personal. Four years later, he sold the circus to Mattel for $40 million and was set. No. Blums death comes as Feinstein, the Senates oldest member, struggles with low approval ratings and calls for her resignation from some progressive members of the Democratic Party. Echovita Inc is a registered trademark. 01.26.2022. The importance of saying "I love you" during COVID-19, Effective ways of dealing with the grieving process, Solutions to show your sympathy safely during the Covid-19 pandemic. Not yet having made his fortune, he began giving families small amounts of money through what he called the Sherpa Scholarship Fund. Blum, tall at 6-foot-4, with dark, unruly hair, was best known throughout the state for his role as a UC regent. He and Feinstein have similarly waved away concerns about their complicated finances. Box 154, Tampico, IL 61283 www.tampicohistoricalsociety.com tampicohistoricalsociety@gmail.com President Joan Johnson, 815-438-7581 or garyjoan@thewisp.net Family History Coordinator, Denise McLoughlin 815-718-3617. It may never get built, Hit bean company Rancho Gordo embroiled in discrimination lawsuit, San Francisco citizens once traveled by gondola. Richard C. Blum was an undergraduate at UC Berkeley in the 1950s when he decided to hitchhike through Europe and Northern Africa as an exchange student the summer before his senior year. Copyright 2023 Echovita Inc. All rights reserved. Obituary for Clinton Cardell Pruitt. He then told The Chronicle: I did it a bunch of times, adding that he never considered it a problem to write recommendation letters directly to chancellors and bypassing the traditional admissions process. In recent months, Feinstein spent considerable time away from her Senate schedule in Washington to be with him. Obituary Richard Dennis Blum, 58, of Newport, passed away on Tuesday, April 27, 2021, at his home. It is always difficult saying goodbye to someone we love and cherish. He was born on September 20, 1936, a son of the late Herman A. and Catherine (Gibson) Blum. In addition to Ms. Feinstein, Mr. Blum is survived by a brother, Robert; his daughters, Annette, Heidi and Eileen; his stepdaughter, Katherine; and seven grandchildren. Gavin Newsom said in a statement. An audit of Cals admissions practices found that the unidentified students admission was likely influenced by the regents advocacy., In response to the audit, Blum told the San Jose Mercury News that he had written letters of recommendation for years, and never thought they ever had much influence., This is the first time Ive heard that maybe I did something that wasnt right, he said. Plant a tree in memory of Richard An environmentally friendly option Plant a tree H Henry Maurer June 1, 2021 I recently learned of the passing of Rich Blum. He was born on September 20, 1936, a son of the late Herman A. and Catherine (Gibson) Blum. She and Blum married in 1980. art school dean who saw expression in everything, dies at 62, Lawrence Fan, who worked at San Jose State for 42 years, dies at 67, Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area. He remained its president until his retirement a decade ago. In a statement, Gov. We are so deeply sorry for your loss. But, again with Mr. Blums financial help, she won election to the Senate in 1992. Richard Blum, the longtime husband of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, died Sunday evening following a battle with cancer, the senator announced Monday. Friends are welcome to attend the service. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) appears with husband Richard Blum at an election event in San Francisco in November 2018. He was by my side for the good times and for the challenges. Richard Blum, Political Donor and Husband of Senator Feinstein, Dies at 86, https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/28/us/politics/richard-blum-dead.html. The deal solidified Blums reputation as an investor and businessman and signaled the kind of extraordinary experience that would shape his life as a philanthropist, UC regent and husband to Feinstein, now a U.S. senator. Regent Sherry Lansing, who served alongside Blum for 20 years, praised his devotion to the university and said she will miss him greatly. His mother, Louise Hirsch, was born in El Paso, Texas and grew up in San Francisco. He was 86. Fall 2022 President's, Dean's lists and graduates. And I have to say, watching them over the years, that they were very good to each other, Buell said. [4] Blum had three daughters from his first marriage to Andrea Schwartz Blum. Richard C. Blum, a financier and major donor to Democrats above all his wife, Senator Dianne Feinstein of California died on Sunday at the family home in San Francisco. He served on former President Barack Obama's Global Development Council. [23][24] He was the chairman and founder of the apolitical American Himalayan Foundation (AHF), which has given millions of dollars to build hospitals and schools in Tibet and Nepal, but refrained from political involvement with the Chinese control of Tibet. Expand the Memories and Condolences form. Admin. Washington correspondent Tal Kopan contributed to this report. For nearly two decades, Blum served as a member of the University of California Board of Regents and was chairman emeritus of the board, and he founded the Blum Center for Developing Economies at UC Berkeley, which is focused on addressing global poverty. Boredom has never worked for me, Blum told an interviewer for the oral history, explaining why he chose investments over the shirt trade or fruit-packing, both early options. Grief Support. Ms. Feinstein missed votes in recent weeks as Mr. Blums health declined, imperiling the Democrats precarious Senate majority, which relies on a tiebreaking vote from Vice President Kamala Harris. The death of an American investor and husband of United States Senator Dianne Feinstein Richard Blum came as a shock to his friends and family. The investor passed away after a long battle with lung cancer, the senator said in a statement. He and Harriet were a wonder loving couple and complimented each other perfectly. The only problem was his enthusiasm was so intense it was sometimes hard to get him off the phone. Please omit flowers. My husband was my partner and best friend for more than 40 years. Blum died Sunday. It was only during his final months that he sought government office, informing President Biden early last year that he hoped to be made an ambassador. He was a force of nature., Cecilia Estolano, the regents current chairperson, called Blum a deeply generous man who long served on the Board of Regents with distinction and profound impact.. His life's accomplishments are long and varied, and covered in numerous obituaries. Richard will be remembered for his patriotism. Before Richard Blum faced Mt. He was by my side for the good times and for the challenges. His tenure as a regent was not without controversy, however. He was 20 years older than George but stronger than George when they climbed the Himalayas. Summer Lin covers breaking news and general assignment for The Mercury News. U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, right, smiles next to husband Richard Blum at an election night event in San Francisco in 2018. Blum and the Dalai Lama met in Dharamshala in 1972 and became fast friends, snapping photos of themselves and joking about their past lives. He also served as co-chairman of the World Conference on Religion and Peace and was a founding member of National Geographics International Council of Advisors. As a role model, Dick was second to none, and I think his compassion and devotion to the people of the Himalayan region may prove to be his most enduring legacy, Feinstein said. Blum was the chairman of Blum Capital Partners, an equity investment management firm. ", "Davis names investor Blum to UC Board of Regents / Husband of Sen. Feinstein is a Berkeley grad", "Richard Blum Joins SF Fed Econ Advisory Council", "Feinstein, Husband Hold Strong China Connections", "Critics Question Impartiality of SFO Runway Study / Feinstein's husband part-owner of firm conducting report and has 6% stake in Northwest Airlines", "PROFILE / Richard Blum / The man behind URS, next to Sen. Feinstein", "CALIFORNIA ELECTIONS: GOVERNOR: Feinstein Defends Husband's Role in Selloff of Stock", "The Man Behind the Woman Who Would Be Governor: Politics: Dianne Feinstein's husband, Richard Blum, is a shrewd businessman, a friend of the famous, with a 'Lt.