UJC MOURNS DEATH OF JEWISH
PHILANTHROPIST I.E. MILLSTONE

May 26, 2009

UJC/Jewish Federations of North America expresses its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Isadore (I. E.) Millstone (z”l), the Jewish philanthropist, builder and St. Louis civic leader who died earlier this month at the age of 102.

May his memory be a blessing and may his family be comforted among the mourners of Zion.

Millstone was widely considered the patriarch of the St. Louis Jewish community. A past president of the JCC, he donated the 100-plus acres that became the site of the I.E. Millstone Jewish Community Campus.

“For decades, I. E. Millstone has been the most respected, admired and loved member of the St. Louis Jewish community,” a Jewish Federation of St. Louis statement said.  “He has shaped the future of the Jewish community of St. Louis, across the United States, in Israel and around the world. The entire Jewish community is united in its deep sadness, sympathy and support for the Millstone family.”

Last Friday, Mr. Millstone’s family announced that a memorial service would be held at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 31, at United Hebrew Congregation.

Known for remaining active and engaged until the end of his life, Mr. Millstone spoke at length just a few weeks ago at the opening of the JCC’s new Staenberg Family Complex, which will house a sculpture of him.

He was a major supporter of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, the Technion: Israel’s Institute of Technology and the Israel campus of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.

Born in St. Louis, Mr. Millstone rose from humble beginnings to create a large construction company responsible for many significant St. Louis buildings and highways, including the original Busch Stadium, the Mercantile Tower and the original B’nai Amoona Synagogue, now a cultural center that is considered a modernist architectural gem.

He was an exceptionally generous supporter of the State of Israel, and at the request of David Ben-Gurion helped the country build housing for the streams of immigrants arriving in the new state.

Mr. Millstone was also a major donor to his alma mater, Washington University, where some 60 students receive scholarships through his philanthropy, and where he remained an active member of the board of trustees until his death.

For more information about Mr. Millstone, go to the St. Louis Jewish Federation’s web site. The Federation has also created a blog where those who wish to post a note or sentiment about Mr. Millstone can do so.