RIT mourns the loss of Trustee Chairman Emeritus Colby Chandler

RIT Trustee Chairman Emeritus Colby Chandler died March 4, at the age of 95. Mr. Chandler served as Chairman and CEO of Eastman Kodak from 1983 to 1990, and served the RIT Board of Trustees from 1974 to 2021. He led the Board as Chairman from 1992 to 1994, and vice chairman from 1987 to 1991. He also chaired the RIT presidential search in 1992, leading to the appointment of Albert Simone.

Mr. Chandler was presented with RIT’s Nathaniel Rochester Society Award, given annually to individuals who have contributed to the advancement of RIT in an outstanding and significant manner, in 1999.

He served on many RIT board committees, including on the education and executive compensation committees, and was a member of the NRS President's Circle. Mr. Chandler, an active RIT donor for many years, co-chaired the corporate sector of the Access to the Future capital campaign, an $85 million campaign announced in 1986. He has supported a variety of endowments and RIT ventures including the science lab facility, Nathaniel Rochester Society Scholarship Fund, M. Richard and Clarice Rose NRS Scholarship Endowment Fund, Richard A. Freund Memorial Scholarship Fund, 150th Anniversary Campaign, Access to the Future Campaign, New Campus Fund, and RIT’s Unrestricted Fund.

With Kodak for 40 years, Mr. Chandler began his career as a quality control engineer in the color control division in 1950 and held numerous positions before being elected president in 1977. He was elected chairman and CEO in 1983. He was also inducted into the National Sales Hall of Fame and was named Citizen Marine of the Year in 1994. His wife, Jean, is a member of RIT’s Women’s Council.

Read more about Mr. Chandler’s life and achievements.