| Richard J. Fox | |
| Birth Date: | 8 November 1927 |
| Birth Place: | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Death Place: | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Education: | Central High School |
| Alma Mater: | Georgia Institute of Technology |
| Occupation: | Property developer |
| Years Active: | 1953 to 2020 |
| Boards: | Temple Board of Trustees |
| Spouse: | Geraldine Fox |
| Children: | Harry Fox, Jennifer Fox, Frederic Fox, Celia Fox, Michael Fox |
| Parents: | Fred Fox, Zena Witlin Fox |
Richard James Fox (November 8, 1927 – February 9, 2020) was an American property developer, entrepreneur and philanthropist. He served as the Chairman of Fox Companies, a property construction, development and management company in Eastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey, and Planalytics, a weather analytics company.
Richard J. Fox was born in 1927.[1] He grew up in the Germantown-Mount Airy neighborhoods of Philadelphia.[1]
Fox was educated at the Central High School, a public high school from which he graduated in 1945.[1] Fox enlisted in the Navy to serve in World War II, where he learned how to fly, which became a lifelong passion of his. He graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1950, where he received a bachelor of science degree in engineering.[2] He served in the Korean War of 1950–1953.[3]
Fox co-founded Fox Companies, a property construction, development and management firm in Eastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey, with his brother Robert.[3] [4] He served as its Chairman.[3] [5] The firm has developed many buildings, including the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia.[4] Additionally, they developed the town of Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania.[1] [2]
Additionally, Fox served as the Chairman of Planalytics, a weather analytics company.,[3] [5] and Quantum Pest Management, a revolutionary, non-chemical, insect management technology.
Fox was a co-founder of the Republican Jewish Coalition.[3] [5] He served as its first Chairman, and served as its honorary chairman.[3] Fox served as the Chairman of the Jewish Policy Center.[3] He was the Pennsylvania State Chairman for Ronald Reagan's presidential campaign in 1980, and the national finance chair of Jack Kemp's 1988 presidential campaign.[5] Fox served as the co-chairman of the New Horizon Council.
Fox served on the Board of Trustees of Temple University continuously for 53 years.[3] [6] He served as its Chairman for 17 years from 1982 to 1999, when the Fox School of Business and Management was named in his honor.[1] [2] He was the 1996 recipient of an honorary doctorate of humane letters.[3]
Fox died from natural causes on February 9, 2020, in his Center City Philadelphia apartment at the age of 92.[7]
Fox was married to his wife, Geraldine for 64 years. Together they had 5 children and 7 grandchildren.[4] Fox flew planes for 64 years from the age of 17 until he stopped at the age of 81. He enjoyed politics, Jewish affairs and golf.[1]