Stevens Institute of Technology - Link Yearbook (Hoboken, NJ)

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.7 ,..., , I Anson Wood Burchard 1865-1927 ITHIN the past year Stevens Institute of Technology mourned the loss of one ofits most loyal and prominent Alumni-Mr. Anson Wood Burchard of the Class of Eighteen Hundred and Eighty-live. Few men who have passed through the portals of Stevens have ever cultivated and maintained such lively interest in her as did Mr. Burchard. To his Alma Mater he was a true and faithful son and to all those who knew him he was a cherished friend. Anson Wood Burchard was born at Hoosick Falls, N. Y., in 1865, son of Walter and Julia Burchard. After attending the grammar and high schools of Hoosick Falls he matriculated at Stevens Institute of Technology. He was graduated in 1885, and in the same year began his professional career with the M. Ives Co. of Danbur , Conn. In 1891 he assumed the position of Treasurer and Manager of the T. and Tool Co. At this point in his life that executive ability and administrative power for which he later gained international prominence evidenced itself for the first time. The road to success began to widen, and Mr. Burchard, with unusual initiative and versatility, made phenomenal advances through the world until at his death he was called a prodigy for accomplishment and a keystone in gigantic enterprise. As President ofthe International G. E. Company he directed all the export sales of the General Electric Com any and handled all their foreign investments. During the years of 1918-1919 Mr. ifiurchard voluntarily assisted the War Department of the United States in the construction and development ofincreased facilities for the production of munitions of war. He had been a leader in formulating policies for developing the financial resources and credit of public utilities, and had contributed greatly to the development of the General Electric Company in such a way as to stimulate the expansion of the electrical industry throughout the world. As Chairman of the Finance Committee he had rendered invaluable services to his Alma Mater. Under his able leadership the Endowment Fund of the Institute had, during a comparatively recent period, been increased by over one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. This was the result of constant unsellish effort, and sound, intelligent investing. To the Endowment Fund Mr. Burchard was a liberal contribu- tor, and through him many individuals and corporations made notable contributions. He had ever been considering, shortly before his death, the creation of a fund to relieve the Institute of current debt and had made most generous proposals to lead in the undertaking. Hoxie, Cromwell, Burchard, were the commanding leaders who through mem- bership on the Finance Committee of the Board of Trustees of Stevens Institute of Technology have, more than any others, helped to make possible the achievements of the recent past. They have gone, but their work lives on, and the foundation they helped to lay will for all time bear testimony to their vision, foresight, and courage. I i f-.,., ,, PM ,gm 4 Twenty f T l ,.a..- W f 1 '- f N I , -- -..--m-.W---.-.-- if fzzsma