Sidney Eskenazi, one of the primary benefactors of Eskenazi Health, died Saturday at age 95. His death comes just four weeks after the passing of his wife of over 70 years, Lois Eskenazi.
Sidney is survived by his three children, Sandra Eskenazi, Dori Meyers and David Eskenazi.
Sidney and Lois met and fell in love at IU and enjoyed taking walks around campus together, according to his obituary. Sidney, who graduated IU with a bachelor’s of science degree in 1950 and a law degree in 1953, later developed a scholarship program for law students to give back to the university.
The couple was most known, however, for the $40 million contribution they made to the Eskenazi Health Foundation in 2011, which was used to expand the hospital’s campus in Indianapolis. The donation remains one of the largest philanthropic gifts made to a public hospital in the United States. The Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Hospital and Eskenazi Health downtown campus officially opened in December 2013.
Through their philanthropy and dedication to the arts, the couple became a fixture of the IU community. They contributed a $20 million donation toward the Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture and Design in 2019 as well as a $15 million gift toward the renovation of the Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art in 2016.
Eskenazi Health released a statement extending its condolences to the Eskenazi family.
“We are extraordinarily grateful for the time Sid spent with us and for his friendship,” the statement read. “His legacy, shared so beautifully with Lois, will endure in the spirit of all that we do for years to come.”
IU President Pamela Whitten also released a statement Feb. 2 commemorating Sidney’s passing.
“Together, Sidney and Lois transformed Indiana University and enriched countless lives across our campuses and beyond,” Whitten said in the statement. “As the Eskenazi family grieves the loss of two beloved family members in such a short time, we extend our deepest sympathy and stand with them in honoring not only remarkable leaders and benefactors, but two people whose generosity and spirit touched so many.”
A funeral service will be held at 10:55 a.m. Feb. 5 at the Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation, located at 6501 N. Meridian St. in Indianapolis. The service will be livestreamed.
