Nov. 18, 2002—J. Bruce Bredin, 88, UD trustee emeritus, former chairman of the Board of Trustees and University benefactor, died Nov. 12, 2002.

A native of Wilmington, Mr. Bredin attended the University of Delaware and the College of William and Mary, as well as the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Bredin joined the University’s Board of Trustees in 1957 and served as its chairman from 1982-88. During his tenure on the board, he chaired the Executive Committee, the Honorary Degrees and Awards Committee and the Art and Humanities Committee and served on the committees on Grounds and Buildings, Student Personnel Services and Welfare, Education and Training, Nominating and Physical Education, Athletics and Recreation.

When he retired from the board in 1994, he was elected to emeritus status and honored with a resolution that saluted him for playing “a vital role in maintaining the University as an institution known and respected for quality and innovation” and noted that, during his chairmanship, “he sustained and strengthened the University through periods of enormous growth and change.” The resolution also characterized him as “an elegant friend and benefactor of the University of Delaware, [whose] generosity to, and support of, the institution are legendary.”

At the University’s 1991 Commencement, Mr. Bredin was awarded an honorary doctor of humane letters degree from the University in recognition of his “dedication to higher education and his stewardship of the University of Delaware” and for his “deep commitment to [his] community, through selfless service and support for a wide range of First State institutions and organizations.” After Mr. Bredin was presented with his doctoral hood, the crowd of 22,000 in Delaware Stadium sang “Happy Birthday” to him. He often said that that was one of the proudest moments of his life.

Mr. Bredin’s family suggests contributions in his memory to the University of Delaware.