Gerald W. Bridges, Former Chapter Advisor and Former National Treasurer dies

From ATO National:
Gerald Bridges ('56), who was instrumental in helping navigate the national fraternity through very difficult times in the 1970s and prosperous times in the 80s, died Friday, October 16, 2009. Gerry served the fraternity as National Treasurer, a member of the National Board of Directors, and as a governor on the ATO Foundation Board.

"Jerry was never shy about what the fraternity should be doing," said ATO Chief Executive Officer Wynn Smiley. "He was passionate about ATO and clearly loved the fraternity."

Gerry was a 1956 initiate of the USC chapter in Los Angeles which he continued to actively support. “If it were not for Gerry, I would not have continued my post-undergraduate association with ATO. He was the one person I could not say “no” to when he asked if I would follow in his footsteps as chapter advisor,” said current USC chapter advisor Jerry Papazian, USC ’74. “We have all lost a true friend of our fraternity. “

Bridges was a two-time winner of the National President’s award for outstanding alumni service to Alpha Tau Omega. His service to the Fraternity is hard to overlook. Bridges served as a province chief from 1970-1974 and again from 1981-1989 and was National Treasurer from 1974-1977. At the local level, Bridges was a member of the both the Zeta Beta and Delta Phi House Corporations, chapter advisor to multiple ATO chapters, and served as president of the Zeta Beta Alumni Association in 1967 and 1970.

“I'm sad to hear about his illness and death,” said former National President Dave Thomas, Northwestern ’69. “He was an instrumental force in national finance, house loans, California chapter expansion and redevelopment efforts.”

From Zeta Beta Alumni Association:
Gerry Bridges played a major role, first through his father's leadership, and then through how own part in the purchase of two chapter houses in the history of the Zeta Beta chapter.  For his role in negotiating the purchase of the current chapter house for the Zeta Beta chapter, there is a plaque above the fireplace which dedicates the chapter house in is name.  Click here to read a detailed tribute to Gerry Bridges, which appeared in the 50th Anniversary program of the Zeta Beta chapter in 2001.

Not only did he work tirelessly for the USC chapter, he worked to get the chapter at Occidental back into the fold and save the UCLA chapter from folding in the 1970s.  When he moved in 1978 to the East Coast, he accepted the appointment of Province Chief for the northeast United States.  He was responsible for saving or starting nearly fifteen chapters during his years as a leader in the National fraternity.  Gerry had recognized true leaders in his dealings with members throughout the country, and he had in turn hired over 250 ATOs to work for his company.

From CBRE (formerly known as Coldwell Banker):
Gerry Bridges, 45-Year Veteran of CBRE, Passes Away
Our long-time colleague and friend, Gerald Bridges of our Saddle Brook, New Jersey, office, passed away last Friday, October 16. A Director of Business Development in our Global Corporate Services group, last year Gerry celebrated his 45th anniversary with CBRE—a tenure matched by only a handful of others. Gerry was a stalwart in our GCS group. He offered extensive experience and insight in transaction management, asset management and strategy development for an impressive list of corporate clients, many of which the company still serves today. His admirable work ethic, undeniable passion for his business and steadfast commitment to CBRE were unique and inspirational.