ALICE
CHANDLER 1918 - 2011
Admin. Asst. and Office Mgr. Office
of the President, University of Chicago
Hyde Park Historical Society Board Member, Treasurer
&
Board Member Emerita
Hyde Park Historical
Society Board Member, Treasurer & Board Member
Emerita Alice Chandler
speaks with Hugo Sonnenschein at the 1996 staff
service recognition event during
Sonnenschein's administration at the University of
Chicago.
This annual event that celebrates employees' years of
service has recently been named after Chandler.
Ted Lacey Photography
Alice
Chandler, University employee for more than 75
years, 1918-2011
source: UCHICAGO NEWS - The University of
Chicago website www.uchicago.edu
May 13, 2011
Alice Chandler, a widely treasured colleague, whose
University career of more than 75 years included
serving as the office manager for the President and
Provost s offices, died Thursday, May 12 at the age
of 93.
Chandler, a native of Chicago, began working for the
University at the age of 16, after she graduated
from high school.
-Alice has been a vital part of the President s
office and this institution for generations,” said
President Robert J. Zimmer. -Her quiet and
unshakable dedication to the University inspired all
who worked with her, and is one of many gifts she
has left to us. We will miss her deeply.”
In recognition of her dedication, the annual staff
service recognition ceremony will be named the Alice
W. Chandler Staff Service Recognition Ceremony.
-She was very devoted to her work,” said Ingrid
Gould, Associate Provost for Faculty and Student
Affairs. -She knew how to do everything. There just
wasn't any problem that flummoxed her.”
Gould said Chandler routinely arrived at the office
by 7am and drove herself to work, even in her later
years. She described Chandler as the consummate
caretaker, a -mother hen” who cared deeply about
solving the problems of people, inside and outside
the workplace.
-There were people whom she adopted temporarily,”
said Gould. -She was there to get your life on track
through the way she lived. She was a shining example
of how to live well, how to build a community, how
to care about people.”
Chandler loved to travel and go on cruises with her
late husband, her son and her daughter-in-law. Her
noontime routine included crossword puzzles, which
she would squeeze into the morning if she had a
lunch scheduled. She also loved cats and had a soft
spot for strays.
-People just gravitated to her,” said Gould, who
added that Chandler embraced life.
-She would say, ‘I have had a wonderful life. I did
not wait to live. -
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