Jesse H. Oppenheimer

Jesse Halff Oppenheimer, a prominent San Antonio attorney and philanthropist, died at the age of 90 at his home Friday, October 9, 2009, surrounded by his family. He was a passionate advocate for human rights and social justice, a commitment exemplified by his willingness to speak out on issues and by his many charitable contributions. In 1963, he and his wife established the Jesse H. and Susan R. Oppenheimer Foundation, which dispenses gifts to a wide range of charities, including an annual Fellowship that supports an outstanding researcher in anti-cancer drug development at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. The Foundation funds a scholarship program for students at Alamo Community Colleges and also has presented a leadership gift to the Mission Road Developmental Center. The Foundation will benefit public organizations in perpetuity.

American foreign policy and this nation's moral responsibilities in an increasingly interdependent world were primary interests of his. Oppenheimer's dream of a nuclear-free world and his commitment to conservation and the environment were life-long pursuits. Never shy to express his political views, he was a staunch opponent of America's involvement in Vietnam and Iraq, and was tireless in writing to government officials, regardless of their party affiliation, to share his opinions.

He served on the boards of the Marion Koogler McNay Art Museum former President; the Robert B. Green Hospital, Santa Rosa Children's Hospital; the World Affairs Council of San Antonio; the Symphony Society of San Antonio President and Chairman; the United Way; The Bexar County Mental Health Association; Children's Service Bureau; Ursuline Academy; St. Mary's Hall; the Argyle Club, where he was on the Advisory Board; the Downtown Association of San Antonio and InterFirst Bank San Antonio, N.A. He was appointed a Trustee of the Woodrow Wilson International Center of Scholars in Washington, D.C. An avid rancher and outdoorsman, Oppenheimer was a Founder and Trustee of the Southwestern Cattle Raisers Foundation now the Cattle Raisers Museum in Fort Worth.

His roots in San Antonio ran deep. Son of the late Jesse D. and Lillie Halff Oppenheimer, he was a third generation Texan whose paternal grandfather and great uncle founded the D & A Oppenheimer Bank. An attorney for 63 years, he founded his own law firm, Oppenheimer, Blend, Harrison & Tate, Inc., in 1969. He graduated with honors from the University of Arizona, then attended Harvard Law School, where he served as an editor of the Harvard Law Review. Graduating cum laude in 1942, he took a leave from Harvard shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor and served four years in the Army, seeing action in both the European and Pacific Theatres and rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He received Theatre Commendations for his service in both Europe and the Pacific and was recommended for the Legion of Merit. After the war he returned to Harvard for graduate studies in Taxation. It was there he met and married Susan Rosenthal of Boston. They moved to San Antonio in 1946.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years; his son and daughter in law, David and Harriet Oppenheimer of San Antonio; his daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and John Cohn of Dallas; daughter, Jean Oppenheimer of Los Angeles; and four grandchildren, the joy of his life, Rebecca, Daniel and Jacob Oppenheimer and Harrison Cohn.

The family would like to express special gratitude to caregivers Gloria Barron, Melissa Lopez, and Oralia Scholl for their constant warmth and support.

Private interment in Beth-El Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the McNay Art Museum, 6000 N. New Braunfels, Post Office Box 6069, San Antonio, Texas 78209; the Cancer Therapy and Research Center's Institute for Drug Development at the UTHSC at San Antonio, Attention: Donations, 7979 Wurzbach Rd., Ste. 600, San Antonio, Texas 78229; the Mission Road Developmental Center, 8706 Mission Rd., San Antonio, Texas 78214; or a charity of your own choosing.