A Memorial Service Held forRobert N. Butler, President & CEO of ILC-USA
A memorial service for Robert N. Butler, President & CEO ofILC-USA was held in All Souls Unitarian Church in Manhattan, NYfrom 4:00 PM on September 29 (Wed.).

All Souls Unitarian Church

In the Church, many photos of Dr. Butler from childhood up to the present weredisplayed. About 400 friends and colleagues got together from all over the world andshared regret over Dr. Butler’ s death.

From ILC Global Alliance attended Mr. Shigeo Morioka, Hon. President of ILC-Japan,Baroness Sally Greengross, Executive Chair of ILC-UK, Professor Francoise Forette,President of ILC-France, Dr. Rosy Pereyra, Director of ILC-Dominican Republic, Dr.
Lia Daichman, President of ILC-Argentina and Dr. Osako, Director of ILC Global
Alliance Secretariat.
Memorial addresses were delivered by 11 persons including US professors and ILC
members who are making earnest efforts in the fields of gerontology and journalism
education, Dr. Butler’s life work.

On behalf of ILC Global Alliance, one of Co-Chair Baroness Greengross, Executive
Chair of ILC-UK made a speech of farewell.

Baroness Greengross, Executive Chair of ILC-UK expressing her condolences

Dr. Butler’s four daughters, taking over their fathers achievements, established “RobertButler Charity Fund” to support public policy, education, research and awarenessactivities concerning aging.

Memorial Tribute to Dr Robert Butler
Baroness Sally GreengrossChief Executive, ILC- UK
For me, one of Bob’s key messages was that anything was possible, if it
helped to further the cause he fought for all his life – a better life for older
people and an end to the negative attitudes and discrimination they oftenface. He believed that we should always celebrate the unprecedented
triumph of living in an ageing society. This message was always incrediblystrong and permeated all his work.
He could also make others believe they could do anything, as he did me inpersuading me to describe best practice across Europe to special
Congressional and Senate Committees, each in seven minutes with nopreparation. When I expressed some doubts about being able to do that, hesaid ‘of course you can do it Sally, just tell them what you know’. Somehow
I managed, because Bob inspired me, as he did all of us. He was the best
mentor ever.
Hearing him inspire audiences across the world was a privilege and heachieved momentous changes in policy and practice. Not only did he coin
the word ‘ageism’ but also ‘shortgevity’ and his work was renowned.
But outside work, Bob was one of my dearest friends. He and Myrna firststayed with us in London when Alexandra was two and a half. Last year sheand her fiancé returned to London, where a happy reunion reminded me ofBob’s delight in his family, such as, when in London with two charming
grandsons, we all climbed to the top of Big Ben.
He was a determined walker covering huge distances, sometimes with me
desperately trying to keep up. My husband Alan mapped out many historic
walks across London for him. His insistence in maintaining physical andintellectual energy ensured, I believe, that he was able to remain fiercelyactive, even publishing a book a few days before his death.

My tribute to Bob, and that of my colleagues from the ILCs across the globe,
will be to develop, expand and progress the work of the ILC Global Alliance.
I am proud to have been involved sine the early days with Bob, Shigeo
Morioka from Japan, and Francoise Forette from France, because if Bob’s
message to recognise the economic and social force of older people isheeded, the world will surely be more balanced and more humane. The
strength of Bob’s call to action demonstrates how future society can benefit
from being, in all senses of the word, more mature and through the work ofthe ILCs we can ensure that Bob’s spirit and leadership will continue toinspire the world.
We owe him that at the very least and that, I promise, we shall do everythingin our power to achieve.