P’78, ’80, ’82 GP’15, ’18, ’20

A Tribute to Matthew Bender IV ’49, P’78, ’80, ’82, GP’15, ’18, ’20

When Matthew Bender IV died in February this year, not only did The Albany Academies lose a treasured alumnus and benefactor, but the Capital Region lost one of its most ardent supporters and influential philanthropists.

A graduate of the Class of 1949, Matt was a fixture at the Academies for more than six decades as a student, trustee, parent, grandparent, major donor and, most recently, co-chair of the Board of Visitors.

Few people have equaled Matt’s keen insight into what needed to be improved, here on campus or in the wider community. Our friend always had wise advice for bringing about necessary change, and his generous financial backing often made important things happen. It is not an exaggeration to suggest that without Matt’s imprimatur and bold leadership, the merger of Albany Academy for Girls and The Albany Academy would not have happened. Our success and stability in recent years is due in part to Matt’s leadership in making the merger a successful one.

Matt was a very generous donor to the Academies. He contributed to several capital campaigns, including the most recent Campaign for the Third Century. He also endowed the Bender Chair of Composition, the Bender Excellence in Writing Awards, the Bender Summer Writing Program, and the Eleanor Bender Library Fund.

Matt spent most of his adult life contributing his time and talent to many civic and charitable endeavors. In addition to his service to the Academies, he served in leadership positions at Albany Medical Center Hospital, Albany Medical College, The Center for Economic Growth, The Greenway Conservancy for the Hudson River Valley, Historic Albany Foundation, The New York State Commission on the Restoration of the Capitol, and Saratoga Performing Arts Center. As a local philanthropist and conservationist, Matt was devoted to many social and cultural causes in Albany. He was particularly proud of the support provided to the region by the Bender Family Foundation, which he founded in 1997 and led as president of the board of trustees for more than 20 years.

While he was deservedly renowned for his financial support of a wide array of local and regional philanthropic concerns, what set Matt apart was his generosity of spirit. His affable personality, combined with an empathetic curiosity and interest in people and places made him an endearing and respected person to all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Phoebe Powell Bender; his three children, Christian ‘78, Jeffrey ‘80, and Jean ‘82; and his eight grandchildren.

We are fortunate to have known him and to have benefitted from his thoughtful presence and generous spirit. We will miss Matt’s trusted advice and his many visits to the school. The impact of his continuous, personal interactions with The Albany Academies over the course of 70 years, and his guidance and support, will be felt for many years to come.