Oestreicher, Gerry, 1916-1987.

Gerard Oestreicher was born on July 29, 1916 in New York to Carl and Lucille Oestreicher. Born in Germany, Carl Oestreicher immigrated to New York in 1893, finding success as a clothing retailer before moving on to real estate development. With a deep connection to his Jewish heritage, Carl was a community leader at his synagogue. He also founded the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies, an organization his son would eventually lead.

After graduating from Columbia College in 1937, Gerard Oestreicher enlisted in the military to fight in World War II. His actions during the Battle of the Bulge were awarded with a Bronze Star Medal. After his military service, Oestreicher briefly worked in politics as the New York State finance chairman for Adlai Ewing Stevenson's 1956 presidential run. Following in his father's footsteps, Oestreicher began working in real estate after Stevenson's loss. Although his career in politics ended, his political interests never faded; he was a staunch supporter of Israel and a generous political investor until the end of his life. As his real estate career developed and blossomed, so did his philanthropic pursuits. While Oestreicher founded and chaired the Oestreicher Realty Companies, he also served as the chairman of the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies' real-estate division, the president of Columbia University's Jewish Campus Life Fund and a board member for the Educational Alliance.

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