In memoriam: Ralph Shapiro, 92, alumnus, philanthropist and lifelong supporter of UCLA
Throughout his life, Shapiro credited UCLA with providing him and so many others with the opportunity of a world-class public education. He was thankful to the university and dedicated to investing in its faculty and students to enable them to do great things for the betterment of the world. He and Shirley gave generously to a broad range of campus areas, including athletics, the arts, law, music, dentistry, nursing and more.
“UCLA has lost one of its great champions with Ralph’s passing. His contributions to our campus are almost incalculable — he had a great vision for what UCLA could be and dedicated himself to helping the university realize its highest aspirations,” said former UCLA Chancellor Gene Block. “Over many decades, Ralph and Shirley made gifts to more than 100 departments and touched the lives of countless individuals in ways that were profound, inspiring and impactful. Our deep gratitude and our heartfelt sympathies are with his family, friends and loved ones.”
Across six decades of support and leadership, the Shapiros displayed their profound commitment to the Bruin community, giving more than 1,600 gifts — twice as many as any other family at UCLA — to virtually every corner of campus. They endowed more than 20 faculty chairs in areas including piano performance, pediatrics, the study of developmental disabilities and other specialties in health sciences and law, and created the Shirley and Ralph Shapiro Directorship at the Fowler Museum. Grateful for the scholarship support that enabled him to attend UCLA — which he credited with changing his life — Shapiro remained a firm believer in the power of student support. Over the years, he and Shirley provided scholarship aid to more than 700 students. In addition, he was a loyal fan of Bruin athletics and held basketball and football season tickets for more than 30 years.