Mr. Alden was like a father of our family. He has been in our hearts with a good memory of his kindness and credentials. We are deeply saddened to just learn of his passing today.  I called him many times, but no answers without knowing he was not there.

Dear Jim, Anne, Dave, and Rob, 
Please know that we still love your father forever. We are sorry for your loss. 

Chol & Mana

I met Vern Alden at an OHIO Alumni event in Cleveland. When I told him about my career after graduating from Ohio University in Fine Art planning healthcare and corporate collections, he told me about his beautiful wife and her love of art. 
He was very proud of her as a perfect wife for a college president and for his entire life! I have never met a man so very proud of his wife and so very happy and fulfilled with his career with her by  his side✨


To the Alden Family,

You have my heartfelt sympathy for your profound loss.  Vern was a remarkable man with many accomplishments as others have noted.  I met Vern in 1969 when he became Chair of the Boston Company and I was a new consultant (first woman) at the Boston Consulting Group, which was a subsidiary of the Boston Company at the time. Our paths continued to cross in business or symphony over the ensuing years.  I enjoyed conversations with Vern and his beloved Marion.  I was touched by his warmth, congeniality and kindness.     Warmest regards, Sandy Moose

Dave, and the Alden family my condolences for your loss.  Vern was an amazing person and an inspiration to others.   He helped drive the transformation of Brown cross country and track and field and impacted many an athlete.  I will always have fond memories of him and celebrate the fact that his legacy will have a lasting impact on many people.  

Harry Matternas
Class of 87

Dr. Alden and I often met rounding the corner of the brick walk around Ellis Hall - he from home on way to office, me on way to classes in Ellis.  We always had something positive and witty to share.  He was my touchstone in my college days, like we both were meant to be there and exchange a few words.  I hope we meet again.

What a remarkable life. From education to athletics to finance to foreign language to management to international relations to family, Dr. Alden had his hands in all of it at one point and often mixing them together.

I first met him as a 16-year-old caddie at The Country Club in the summer of 1994. He asked me how my college search was going and if I had a major in mind. Well, heading into my junior year the search hadn’t really started yet, but I did know that I wanted to get into sports media – preferably TV or radio. Dr. Alden said that he knew just the place for me. I can tell you, he’s pretty convincing when talking about Ohio University.

We must have walked TCC together 20 times over the next couple years before I went to Ohio as a freshman in 1996. The story he told about picking up the two stranded OU students in Bermuda still stands out 25+ years later.

Despite only spending seven years in Athens, he left his mark on the city, the university and what it means to be an Ohio Bobcat that will last long after our lifetime. The Convo was built under his watch more than 50 years ago and is still the crown jewel of the MAC, same for the library that is the tallest building in the city and bears his name, and he saw to it that the river was rerouted.

While I don’t think he moved any other rivers, he left similar legacies on his other endeavors.

My condolences to his family. He was truly a special man.

Keith Pearson

Dear Dave and Members of the Alden Family, 

Rarely does one have opportunity to meet and get to know a true visionary.  Dr. Alden was that. I knew him as a student athlete and later in life as a Bobcat supporter. We became good friends and every time I spoke to him, I learned new things. I am an amateur baseball historian and he shared with me his experiences with Willie Mays whom he mentored.  He helped us form the Ohio Bobcat Club and was an active Board Member and strong financial supporter. 

He was just a great guy.  He was humble, intelligent, gracious and the best and most impactful President in Ohio University history. 
He will be greatly missed, but his legend will live on. 

My Deepest Sympathy, 
Joe Sutton

I was a student at Ohio University from 1965 to 1969. I remember your father as being such a guiding force at the University and in Athens. I have  fond memories of all of you playing in your yard  as we all walked to or from classes.  Seeing your family uptown on a weekend going to a movie.  The Alden Library opened when I graduated and I have always directed my donations to the library.  I'm so sorry for your loss, but be comforted by all the students whose lives he touched.  

I had the pleasure of meeting Vern on a few occasions when I was on the Brown Track and Cross Country teams with his son Dave. Vern always had a smile on his face, was an engaging conversationalist, and took an interest in all the athletes on the team and helped make the program strong. To Dave and all the Alden family, I offer my deepest condolences. 

I ran cross-country with his son, Dave.  We all adored Vern.  He was a wonderful man.

As a parent of a current Brown Track athlete, I thank Vernon and his family for his contributions to Brown Track & Field over the years.  Vernon was a true role model for current day athletes. Thank you very much!


Please accept my sincere condolences on Dr. Alden’s passing. Though I was not fortunate enough to have known him personally, his vision, work and generosity have touched my life in two very significant ways. As the child of an Ohio University professor and an editor at the OU Press (which he founded), I was privileged to grow up in the beautiful college town of Athens, benefitting in countless ways from the university he had so profoundly elevated and expanded in the years just before my family’s arrival. In addition, as the father of an incoming Brown cross country and track athlete, I have learned of his extraordinary legacy of support for the program. As many of the remembrances already left attest, he clearly left an indelible mark on so many student-athletes.  May this influence continue to be felt, as the program moves into this next chapter.

Dave, I’m very sorry for your loss. Vern was a gentle, kind, generous man, and a magnificent benefactor of Brown’s running programs.  He will be greatly missed. I hope you and your family can find comfort in the knowledge that Vern’s in a better place.
You have my deepest sympathies.
Sincerely,
Rick Luby

He made it possible for me as a young man of modest means to travel and compete in Japan as a runner. His steady presence and support for so many of us runners was incredible. Giant of a man. Giant life. Giant impact. Rest In Peace Dr Alden. 

Dear David and the Alden Family,

My condolences to you on your loss. Your family was such an active part of the Cross Country and Track & Field teams while I was at Brown, and helped make the program a true family. It was always wonderful to see your father and mother when they attended our competitions and team events. I am especially honored to have had the opportunity to participate in the Ivy League Ekiden race in Japan that your father helped make possible. Best wishes to you and your family during this difficult time.

Sincerely,
David Marcus ‘92 


Please accept my sympathy as we honor your father and his legacy of leadership, character, generosity, school spirit and loyalty.  -Vanessa Toney Bobb 

Vern's generosity and commitment to Brown Track provided opportunities to countless students and athletes that speak to his legacy. My sincere condolences on his passing.

So many wonderful memories and feelings of gratitude as I think of my friend Vernon.  I loved his devilish sense of humor, his compassion, his commitment to young people, his love of Ohio University, and most of all his friendship. His was an extraordinary life.

I came to know Vernon soon after being named the Head Basketball Coach at Ohio University - he reached out to me as I was at the time living in Brookline while serving as an assistant coach at Boston College And we met for dinner at the Brookline Country Club. He reassured my wife Beth about the move and shared great memories of his time in Athens, Ohio. It started a friendship that would last many years that included a trip to Holland and Belgium with the Ohio Bobcat team, numerous rounds of golf, several memorable trips to the Vinyard, and of course too many basketball games to count. 

I look forward to celebrating this extraordinary life when it is safe to do so - in the meantime my sincere condolences to the family.
Tim O’Shea


Hi Dave, 

I am very sorry for your loss.  I have fond memories of Vern and his gentle, kind and humble demeanor. He did so much for the Brown running programs over the years and I feel so blessed to be part of the Brown running community that Vern cultivated. 


Dear David and Alden Family,
Words can't express how sorry I am for your loss.  Your dad was an inspirational presence during my track career.  I remember meeting him for the first time.  I was nervous since I heard so much about who he was and what he did for the program, but he immediately put me at ease with his kind words and encouragement.  It was an honor to know him.
You and your family are in my prayers.  Thank you for sharing him with us.
Teri Smith '91

I am so saddened for your loss. Vern Alden is a legend and a truly wonderful man. Because of his influence, I was able to benefit greatly as a runner at Brown.  Pride is an understatement in his life and work. I hope your family is healing and able to reflect on the beautiful life he lived in peace and comfort.

Hi Dave, I remember your amazing father as you and he and Coach Rothenberg totally revolutionized the program at Brown in 83 and 84,  Best wishes to you and your family during these tough times.

Thank you to all that the Alden Family has done to support Brown track and Field. I am grateful to have benefitted from your generosity. Rest In Peace Mr. Alden

Thank you for creating a tradition & legacy that every single athlete of the Brown track & field program will always remember. Memory eternal. 

Dear Dave and Alden Family,

I remember meeting your Dad at a track meet, he was a wonderful supporter of Brown Track and Field. Sending condolences and thinking of you and your family during this difficult time. 

Sincerely,

Lindsey Anne Johnson Wild, Brown '86

David and Family,
I was saddened to hear of your father’s passing. Track and field were a big part of my Brown experience and your father’s contributions to the program were so appreciated. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts at this time.
Donna Neale ‘86

Dave and Family,

So sorry for your loss. We were all blessed to know your father. His contributions to Brown Track were amazing!!

Sincerely,
RJ

I was very sorry to hear of Dr. Alden's passing.  It was always a highlight of my year when Dr. Alden would attend our cross country banquets, in his letter sweater, and speak to the team.  It was a highlight for our athletes also.  I can assure you also that I make sure to let our athletes know a bit about his amazing life when we hand out the Vern Alden Award each year.  All our athletes also know that they run on the Vern Alden track at the Vern Alden Invitational every year.  We will continue to keep his legacy vibrant in our team culture.

Again, let me pass along my condolences on behalf of the Brown track and field team.  You are in our thoughts.

OBITUARY

Vernon Roger Alden

April 7, 1923 – June 22, 2020

J.S. Waterman Langone Chapel

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