Robert H Arnow

Arnow—Robert Harold New York real estate developer and philanthropist, died peacefully on Dec. 16 at the age of 94 in his Scarsdale home. Born in Roxbury, MA, the son of Leon and Eleanor Aronovitz, From the age of eleven Robert worked in his father’s drug store. After serving in the navy, he graduated from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy intending to work with his father. Life took a different course when he married Joan Weiler in 1949, daughter of Doris and Jack Weiler, a real estate developer. Robert and Joan moved to Scarsdale in 1953 where they raised four children. In partnership with the Swig family of San Francisco, Robert worked with his father-in-law and brother-in-law, Alan Weiler, for decades until most of the buildings were sold in 1997. Among his many development projects was the Grace Building on 42nd Street, opposite Bryant Park. Robert’s interest in philanthropy developed under the tutelage of his father-in-law, but soon began to reflect his own special interests, Jewish education among them. He served as chairman of the board of Israel’s Ben-Gurion University of the Negev for a decade. Under his leadership, the university established a center to provide support for Bedouin students. He was the first to establish an endowed scholarship fund for Bedouin women which has been credited not only with improving the lives of recipients but of the Bedouin community as a whole. Robert’s concern for the Bedouin grew out of his Jewish values. He often cited the Bible: “Know the heart of the stranger because you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” His interest in the Bedouin also reflected his passion for nature, gardening, and raising animals. In 1968 he and his wife purchased a farm in Columbia County where he raised cows, sheep and goats. In later years Robert’s philanthropic interests included preservation of the Hudson River Valley and support for young farmers in that region. After his beloved Joan died in 2010, Robert continued to travel and took up oil painting. The JCC of Mid-Westchester mounted two exhibits of his landscapes. He saw the glass as half full and was particularly fond of a phrase from the 23rd Psalm: “My cup runneth over.” His warm hearted generosity flowed from memories of hard times during the Great Depression and an abiding belief that his good fortune was meant to be shared with others. Robert is survived by his four children and their spouses, David (Madeleine), Peter (Kathi), Joshua (Elyse), and Ruth, grandchildren, Benjamin, Dan, Joel, Noah, Adam, Eli, Talia, Chloe, Jackie, and Charissa, and great grandchildren, Liran, Harper, Caleb, Hallel, Avra, Livia, Sidney, Haley, Wrenn, Levi, devoted nephew Michael (Ali) and special friend to the family, Perry Susskind. The family is eternally grateful to Ingrid Jones for her loving and tireless devotion to Joan and Robert’s care. The family also thanks Miguel Espinosa for years of loyal service and Madeline Dwyer, Yvonne Hackett, Patricia Walker-Scott, Peggy Poku, Susanna Ofori, Tamara Edwards and Carol Rowe for their kindness in helping to care for Robert in his last years. Thanks also to personal trainer Bill Anderson and health care advocate Melissa Ciner.

His memory will be a blessing to all who knew him.