Alfred R. Stern, Jr.

Published in The New York Times on Jan. 4, 2014

STERN--Alfred R. A true gentleman, died on New Year's Eve at age 91 after leading a rich and full life. He leaves his cherished wife and best friend, Barbara Biben. He was the loving father of Chris Hyman, Cathy Myers, Nicholas Stern, Thomas Stern and Margaret Stern; step-father of Matthew Biben and Douglas Biben; half-brother of Peter Ascoli; brother-in-law of Laurel Gedan and adored grandfather of twelve grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his former wives, Creigh and Joanne. He was the son of Marion Rosenwald and Alfred K. Stern and the grandson of noted Chicago philanthropist Julius Rosenwald. Alfred was dashing in his whites playing tennis at his home in Round Hill, Jamaica, dressed in black tie chairing the Film Society Gala at Lincoln Center or clad in jeans and chaps riding at his ranch in Ennis, MT. He attended Deerfield Academy and the University of North Carolina and served in the United States Air Force in WWII. A highly regarded businessman, he was known for his integrity and leadership both in the corporate and not for profit sectors. Alfred began his television career at NBC becoming Vice President Enterprises Division. He left NBC to found and become Chairman and CEO of Television Communications Corporation, a cable company. He took his company public eventually selling it to Warner (now Time Warner) which formed the core of its cable television division. He became President and CEO of Warner Cable Corporation and Senior Vice President Corporate Affairs, Warner Communications, Inc. He was a true pioneer in the industry and was Chairman of the National Cable Television Association and named its Man of the Year. After retiring from Warner, he was named Chairman and CEO of Mt. Sinai Medical Center where he served with distinction for a number of years. He was named "Trustee of the Year" by Modern Health Care Magazine and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Mt. Sinai School of Medicine. The Mt. Sinai Adolescent Health Center honored him and Barbara, naming them Legends and Trailblazers. He was Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Public Broadcasting System (PBS), past President and Chairman of the Board of the Film Society of Lincoln Center, Chairman of the Board of the Center for Democracy Studies, the Phoenix Theater, the Dalton School and Institute for the Future. Alfred was a Trustee of the American Museum of Natural History, the New York Public Library, the White House Historical Association, WNET/Thirteen, Radcliffe College, Kirkland College and NYS Hospital Trustees Association. He will be remembered for his optimism, wisdom, discipline, elegance and enormous kindness.