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Brother Philip Dowd, retired director of libraries Brother Philip Dowd, retired library director and former College archivist, died on May 21, 2004. He was 89 years old. Born Philip Michael Dowd on August 17, 1915, Br. Philip was the oldest of five children in an Irish family. He knew early on that he wanted to join the Christian Brothers, and in 1931, at the age of 15, Br. Philip entered the Juniorate. He took his vows in 1933 and received the name Brother Aelred of Mary. After graduating from The Catholic University of America in 1936, Br. Philip was appointed to St. Joseph’s Juniorate in Barrytown, N.Y., the same school he himself had attended. He taught there until 1948, when he was appointed to De La Salle Academy in New York City, where he served until 1954. At that time Br. Philip served on the faculty of the De La Salle Institute from 1954 until 1957,
when he was appointed to De La Salle College in Washington, D.C., as librarian and choirmaster. During his time in D.C., Br. Philip pursued advanced degrees at The Catholic University of America and earned a master’s degree in library science in 1960, a master’s degree in music in 1963, and a Ph.D. in music in 1969. In 1969, Br. Philip joined Manhattan College when he was appointed director of libraries. He also taught as an adjunct professor in the department of fine arts. In 1982, the year he celebrated his 50th anniversary as a Brother and also earned his master’s in liturgical studies from Notre Dame University, Br. Philip retired as director of the library. After taking a sabbatical year at St. Mary’s in California in 1983, he was appointed the curator of rare books at Manhattan, a position he held until 1991. From 1991 until
his retirement in 2000, Br. Philip served as the College archivist. He moved to De La Salle Hall in Lincroft, N.J., in 2001, and resided there until his death in May. His calmness and warmth toward those who needed him are remembered fondly by those who worked with him. In the homily given for Br. Philip on May 24, 2004, Brother Augustine Foes, F.S.C., said, “We, too, are grateful to Phil for his companionship and example during his 72 years as a Brother, and we are grateful to God and Saint De La Salle for sharing Br. Phil’s life with us here on earth and forever in Heaven.”
Leonard J. Eder ’64, noted engineer and distinguished alumnus Leonard J. Eder ’64, who founded and led his own environmental engineering consulting firm for many years, died suddenly of a heart attack on August 31, 2004. A Manhattan College alumnus, Eder completed a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering in 1964 and a master’s degree in civil engineering the following year. He was 61. Eder worked hard to live the American dream and helped others along the way to achieve the same. After establishing Eder Associates Consulting Engineers, Eder found a way to give back to Manhattan in an effort to support the College’s ongoing commitment to serve others. Through his company in 1994, Eder established the Eder Scholarship Foundation to help support less fortunate students studying environmental engineering. Earlier, he also contributed a generous donation to support renovations and upgrades to the environmental engineering laboratories. Eder, who served as a consultant to the College’s environmental engineering department, felt compelled to help worthy students pursue a successful career in environmental engineering despite their financial situation. His generosity throughout the years has helped many students fulfill their dreams. “The Christian Brothers established Manhattan on the premise that it could give a high-quality education to those of minimal income,” Eder said in an earlier
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reported article in the Manhattan. “It’s a legacy that has worked.” A first-generation American, Eder began his career at an environmental engineering firm founded by fellow alumnus Dr. John P. Lawler ’55, chair of the College’s board of trustees. After several years, he set out on his own and established Eder Associates Consulting Engineers. During the next 25 years, the firm grew to 150 employees, with offices in seven locations throughout the United States before it was sold in 1998. Eder went on to work with the new owners as a senior consultant until September of 2000, prior to forming Eder Consulting, Inc. Eder Consulting provided environmental, business and management consulting services to industrial companies, financial institutions and venture capital firms worldwide.
a great wife and spending time with your family, and the third part is fishing.” Those who knew Eder could not ignore his love for fishing. One of David’s fondest memories of his father is from the fishing vacations they took with him every year. “No matter how busy he was, he made sure that [we] took a vacation together every year,” says David, who is in business with his brothers, Leonard and Robert. “Despite his busy schedule, he never brought work on these trips, rather, he dedicated his time to having fun with us and teaching us … not just about fishing but about life.”
Eder was a busy man focused on building a solid foundation for future generations of Eders through education and long hours of hard work. Still, son David Eder says his father always made time for the family.
Longtime friend and relative Otto G. Obermaier ’57, who spoke at the memorial service, says he and Eder nearly lived parallel lives — both attended the same schools, including Manhattan College for engineering, both were raised in adjoining apartments in Manhattan, and both were one of the first in their families to earn a college degree. “Lenny Eder lived the American dream,” he said in his speech. And, for those who knew him, he truly did.
“I used to joke that like the engineer he was, he found a mathematical formula for happiness,” says David, one of three Eder sons. “The first part of the equation is working hard, the second part is marrying
Eder is survived by his wife, Barbara; three sons, Leonard, Robert and David; daughters-in-law, Tina, Heather and Pakhi; and four grandchildren, Katelyn, Hailey, Morgan and “baby” Len.
He devoted his time and talent to other causes, including The Boys and Girls Club, St. Dominic’s Schools in Oyster Bay, N.Y., and Locust Valley Cemetery in Locust Valley, N.Y.