It is with the greatest of sadness that the Foundation reports that Jack Deinhardt, surrounded by his family, passed away peacefully on March 28, 2015 at age 94. Jack was the co-founder of the Community Foundation of Broward with his wife Libby.
At this time, we take great comfort in the fact that Jack was so proud of the Foundation’s growth and its ongoing commitment to Libby’s legacy and the legacy of all those who join with the Community Foundation to make our community better.
Jack was an exceptional man and an extraordinary force for good in our community. Jack’s charm and quick wit were matched only by his commitment to help others. Our thoughts are with Jack and Libby’s children, Ann, Barbara, Lisa, and John and all his extended family. Jack is survived by his four children and their spouses, ten grandchildren, four great grandchildren, five nieces and nephews and their children, and his beloved dog Addie.
Jack was born on July 30, 1920 in Columbus, Ohio where he grew up and raised his family. He got a BA in Business Administration from Ohio State and worked as an accountant and then successful entrepreneur, primarily in property development. He met and married Elizabeth (Libby) in 1948 after his service in the army. As CEO of Multicon, Inc. Jack developed many properties throughout South Florida and elsewhere. The couple moved to Fort Lauderdale in 1980 from Ohio, where Libby had been the first employee of The Columbus Foundation (a community foundation). After moving, Jack quickly became involved in the community. Jack and Libby understood the power of inspiring philanthropy in our community and founded the Community Foundation of Broward in 1984 with the vision that people in our community could transform lives.
Jack also served on the boards of the John Knox Village Foundation, Florida Philharmonic Orchestra, Salvation Army, Master Chorale, Fort Lauderdale Museum of Art, and WPBT/Channel 2, among many others. He loved music and played piano from when he was very young, even very recently playing for the John Knox Village Rotary Club meetings. As his eyesight failed, he learned new technologies for the visually impaired and enthusiastically shared that knowledge with others.
After Libby passed away in 2001, Jack remained a tireless champion of the Foundation and its work to improve Broward and nurture philanthropy in our region. Jack was so proud of the philanthropists who joined with the Foundation to create a powerhouse of community improvement that has returned more than $72 million to our community. He was particularly gratified when in 2013 the Foundation, which began with a $15,000 gift, entered the top 100 community foundations in the nation by asset size.
When Jack and Libby created the Community Foundation of Broward the concept was unknown in South Florida. When they did, dear friend, Jim Moran predicted that the Foundation would become “a tremendous living legacy for generations to come.” Thirty years after it was established, Mr. Moran has been proved right.
We will miss you Jack and will celebrate your life and your memory by continuing to improve the lives of all those in our community. For Good. For Ever.
Linda B. Carter
President and CEO
Community Foundation of Broward
View a video of Jack talking about how he and Libby began the Community Foundation here
