Chuck Boxenbaum, Trustee Emeritus, Has Passed Away

Crossroads Trustee Emeritus, alumni parent and passionate advocate for the School Chuck Boxenbaum passed away on Sept. 21. Chuck’s dedication to Crossroads School is legendary. He and his wife, Kharlene, distinguished themselves as among the School’s staunchest supporters and most passionate leaders in our early years. As a Crossroads parent, Chuck joined the Board of Trustees during the 1977-78 school year, a commitment he maintained for 35 consecutive years. He served in a variety of officer roles, including three years as president.

 

Chuck and Kharlene’s sons, Peter and Scott, attended Crossroads since Elementary School and made indelible imprints on the School. In 1988, the year of Peter’s passing after a long illness, the Peter Boxenbaum Arts Education Centre opened in his memory on the 21st Street Campus, made possible by Chuck and Kharlene’s generosity. The Boxenbaum name, in its many iterations, is integral to the fabric of Crossroads.

 

“I was honored to serve for many years when Chuck was still an active trustee,” shares longtime Trustee Darlene Chan, who currently serves as executive vice chair and secretary of the Board. “We were fortunate to have such a champion and I am pleased that we have a building with the Boxenbaum family name permanently representing his and his family’s generosity to Crossroads.”

 

Chuck showed immense generosity toward the School, contributing to capital campaigns and providing strong support for projects including the Documentary Film Program, the Visual Arts Department and the Paul Cummins Library.

 

“Chuck provided extraordinary leadership during important years of growth for Crossroads,” says Board Chair Bob Friedman. “His work in connection with various properties occupied by Crossroads set the stage for the School to acquire a number of properties that enabled us to expand and enhance the educational experience for our students. In particular, he was directly responsible for the acquisition of the land that the Elementary School, field and gym occupy today. And while how he accomplished this is a long story, securing the property required Chuck flying back to Cincinnati to seal the deal and of course, the rest is history.”

 

Chuck also advised the Grandparent Campaign, expertly stewarded donors and advised all three heads of school.

 

“I was the beneficiary of Chuck’s wise counsel and deep experience during my first years as head of school,” says Head of School Bob Riddle. “Indeed, I recall Chuck often being the voice of clarity in some of our earlier debates, reminding us of the critical need to grow philanthropy at Crossroads, while setting an example himself. He had a great sense of humor, and some of my fondest memories of Board meetings during my first few years involved Chuck’s comments, observations and pronouncements. It was hard to argue with him!”

 

Chuck is survived by his wife Kharlene and his son Scott ’84.