Ann E. Pitzer (1937-2014)
Claremont, Calif. (October 24, 2014)—Pitzer College Trustee and granddaughter of the College’s founder, Ann Elizabeth Pitzer passed away on October 15, 2014 in La Jolla, CA. She was 77.
“Ann’s bright, sunny and inquiring mind led to deeper and richer conversations as a trustee of Pitzer College and her lifelong dedication to education and social responsibility was both inspirational and focused,” said Pitzer President Laura Skandera Trombley. “Ann and her family have dedicated themselves to improving generations of students and have practiced their generous philanthropy through generations of family members.”
She was the granddaughter of the College’s namesake Russell K. Pitzer and Flora Sanborn Pitzer and the oldest of the three children of Kenneth S. and Jean Pitzer.
Ann obtained her BA in 1958 from UC Davis in home economics and her master’s degree from UC Berkeley. She worked as a software developer at Science Applications International Corporation for 23 years until her retirement in 2000. Her brother, Pitzer Trustee Emeritus Russell M., is an emeritus professor of chemistry at Ohio State University, and John S. is a retired economist who worked for the federal government and the International Monetary Fund. Ann’s husband, Fred Bromley, passed away in 2001.
Ann served on the Pitzer College Board of Trustees from 2006 until her death. In addition to being a dear friend of the College, she developed close relationships with students, staff and faculty members over the years. In 2009, she created the Ann E. Pitzer Endowed Scholarship for deserving students and, through the Pitzer Family Foundation, created several other student scholarships and professorships at the College. She also inspired affection for the College in her immediate family. Her granddaughter, Samantha Bromley-Coolidge, graduated with Pitzer’s Class of 2014.
Recently, Ann exhibited her deep-rooted affection for Pitzer College through two meaningful gifts. She established an endowment in International Programs at Pitzer College. The Ann E. Pitzer Director of Study Abroad position will exist in perpetuity at the College in recognition of her love for international travel and her commitment to Pitzer’s core value of intercultural learning. The Russell M. Pitzer Endowed Scholarship will provide financial assistance to deserving students in honor of her brother – who she chose to recognize for his long-standing service and commitment to the College.
Ann began serving as a trustee of the Pitzer Family Foundation in 1998 to help continue the family’s legacy of philanthropy. In addition to creating several student scholarships and professorships at the College, the Pitzer Family Foundation provided significant funding support for Pitzer’s residential life project Phase I and Phase II.
During her tenure as a Pitzer Trustee she was an honorary chair of the Residential Life Fundraising Committee, served on the Board’s Educational Policy and Budget committees, and was a member of the Board of Friends for the Grove House and Arboretum. On October 11, 2014, the Pitzer College Board of Trustees passed a resolution honoring Ann’s service to the College, stating “on behalf of Pitzer College students, faculty and staff of the past, present and future—we are honored to join together to salute our colleague and kindred spirit Ann Pitzer. We send to her our deep appreciation and affection for actualizing Provida Futuri.”
Ann is survived by her brothers, Russell M. and John S. Pitzer and numerous extended family.
A joyful celebration of Ann’s life will be held early next year. More information will be forthcoming. Gifts in memoriam can be designated to the Pitzer College Study Abroad Program or the Ann E. Pitzer Endowed Scholarship Fund.
