Prominent University Trustee and Neurosciences Benefactor, Ernest J. Del Monte, Passes Away
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In the heart of the University of Rochester, the E.J. Del Monte Neuromedicine Institute stands as a testament to the vision and generosity of one man - Ernest J. Del Monte.
Established in 2009 through a generous $10 million donation from Mr. Del Monte and his wife, Thelma, the institute serves as an umbrella for several research centers and growing clinical care programs throughout the Medical Center and River Campus.
Mr. Del Monte's wish was for clinical and research initiatives within the Del Monte Neuromedicine Institute to restore the lives of patients suffering from disabling neurological diseases. This philanthropic endeavor was a natural progression for a man who had a history of filling unmet needs.
Born in Rochester, New York, Mr. Del Monte learned early in life the importance of hard work, creativity, bold decisions, and teamwork. These values propelled him to create E.J. DelMonte Corp., initially based in his basement and later moving to a factory on Linden Avenue in East Rochester with 175 full-time workers.
The company's first major innovation came in 1953 when Mr. Del Monte filled an unmet need by building generators for aircraft missiles, leading to the creation of E.J. DelMonte Corp. His company's innovations continued, resulting in the creation of dozens and dozens of patents for various inventions, including the sidewinder missile generator for F-102 fighter jets.
Mr. Del Monte's innovative mind and generous heart were praised by Bradford C. Berk, M.D., Ph.D., CEO of the University of Rochester Medical Center, and Webster H. Pilcher, M.D., Ph.D., chair of Neurosurgery and director of the Ernest J. Del Monte Neuromedicine Institute. Joel Seligman, President of the University of Rochester, described Mr. Del Monte as a force of nature who made a significant impact at the University.
Mr. Del Monte's generosity was instrumental in the development of the E.J. Del Monte Neuromedicine Institute at the University of Rochester, although the exact nature, scale, and specific uses of his contributions remain to be detailed in official University of Rochester sources, press releases, or dedicated biographies of Ernest J. Del Monte.
The Del Monte Neuromedicine Institute focuses on the study and treatment of Alzheimer's disease, stroke, spinal cord and brain injuries, and brain cancers. The gift reinvigorated the scientists and physicians who treat patients with neurological conditions.
In addition to his philanthropic efforts, Mr. Del Monte was also a successful real estate and hotel developer, pioneering the construction of hotels using modular units. He established a relationship with the Marriott Corporation and owns and operates 17 Marriott hotels in New York.
Mr. Del Monte, a Voting Trustee, Senior Trustee, and Life Trustee at the University of Rochester from 1998 to 2012, is survived by four children, 13 grandchildren, five great grandchildren, his sister, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He served as a pilot in World War II.
In lieu of flowers, friends may contribute to the Ernest J. Del Monte Neuromedicine Institute at the University of Rochester Medical Center. The legacy of Ernest J. Del Monte continues to inspire and impact the University of Rochester and the wider community.
The E.J. Del Monte Neuromedicine Institute, established at the University of Rochester, is dedicated to the research and treatment of health-and-wellness-related neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and other medical-conditions, following Mr. Del Monte's vision and generosity. This institute aims to restore the lives of patients suffering from disabling neurological diseases, as per Mr. Del Monte's philanthropic endeavor.
