A Philanthropic Pillar
IN MEMORY
Memories
Remembrances illuminate Mr. D.
• Karen Davidson described her husband as "a man of high integrity,
very honest, unpretentious and down to earth who always was upbeat
and took the high road in whatever he did. He was respected, literally
throughout the world. If he would have been a politician, he could have
run for anything because there were no scandals in his past. He was
just a great person and a wonderful family man."
• Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, in remarks to his cabinet
on March 15: "In the name of the Israeli government and the State
of Israel, I am sending my condolences to the Davidson family. Bill
Davidson was a personal friend, a leading Jew, a great Zionist and a
lover of Israel. May his memory be a blessing."
Community Tributes
Those who wish to further honor the memory of William Davidson
may do so by making a contribution to:
Weizmann Institute
The Davidson Institute
6735 Telegraph Road
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301
(248) 258-9890
Congregation Shaarey Zedek
27375 Bell Road
Southfield, MI 48034
(248) 357-5544
http://www.shaareyzedek.org
Jewish Theological Seminary
The Davidson Graduate School of
Education
3080 Broadway
New York, NY 10027
(212) 678-8000
http://www.jtsa.edu
Henry Ford Health System
One Ford Place
Detroit, MI 48202
800-HENRYFORD
or a charity of your choice.
• Rabbi Joseph H. Krakoff, Congregation Shaarey Zedek of Oakland
County: "Bill Davidson was not only a man of amazing generosity,
but he had amazing humility and kindness, and was one of the most
down-to-earth persons I've ever met."
• Michael Curry, Detroit Pistons head coach: "He led by example and
put people in position to do their jobs and he allowed them to do it.
That's one of the greatest things you can have as a leader, and he pos-
sessed that."
• Joe Dumars, Detroit Pistons president: "We talked a lot about life
— about how he grew up, about how I grew up and just about trying
to make something of your life more than just what people see."
Bill Davidson
Max Fisher
Share Your Memories Of Mr. D
• Tom Wilson, president, Palace Sports & Entertainment: "He was the
most ruthlessly and relentlessly optimistic person and positive person
that you'd ever find, and I think that had a lot to do with his success."
• Richard "Rip" Hamilton, Detroit Pistons player: "We're so used to
seeing him come around here, being in the training room, talking to
us. His mind was always sharp as a whistle and not to have him around
or actually see him come to the games is going to be tough."
They died five years and 10 days apart. Both William Davidson, who died March
13, 2009, at 86, and Max Fisher, who died March 3, 2005 at 96, were linked philan-
thropically through their passion for supporting Jewish and secular causes and, on
a higher plane, by their love for the Land of Israel.
In celebrating Davidson's legacy, Fisher's son, Phillip, a Bloomfield Hills busi-
nessman and philanthropist, told the JN Tuesday: ((Another trunk of our world's
Jewish communal tree has fallen, leaving behind an enriched culture, many high-
quality educational opportunities and a strong, but humble work ethic that will
serve as a model for future generations.
"He will be missed and his life celebrated."
The JN invites readers to submit memories of or anecdotes about the life
• Brad "Bubba" Urdan, Pistons ball boy from 1986-1991 and a young
Jewish community leader: "He was the greatest; he cared about every-
body. He always made sure everyone was doing well. He treated every-
one with respect and dignity. He knew about you. He always asked me
how my business was doing and how I was doing. He was a very good
man, and this is a huge blow to our community"
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March 19 2009
and times of Bill Davidson. Please keep them to less than 200 words and
send to Editorial Assistant Sy Manello via e-mail
(smanello@thejewishnews.com ) by Monday morning, March 23.