School of Business > UPDATE > Fall 2001 > Article

Business School Loses One of Its Own to September 11 Attack

Aaron Horwitz, who worked as an institutional bond broker for Cantor Fitzgerald on the 104th floor of the World Trade Center, is the only School of Business alumnus known to have perished in the September 11 terrorist attacks. He had earned an undergraduate degree in finance and a specialization in international business from the School of Business in 1998.

Aaron Horwitz, 24, was a unique person who made even the most ordinary things fun, according to those who knew him. Rebecca Ryan, an advisor in the Cross-College Advising Service (CCAS), met Aaron Horwitz in his freshman year, as his first academic advisor. "We always shared a good chuckle about the fact that he was pre-med for one semester," Ryan recalled recently. "Aaron and I remained friends for the entire time he was a student here. I'll never forget when he found out that he had been admitted to the School of Business, he brought me a box of petits fours to celebrate. When Aaron graduated in four years, including a study-abroad semester, I had the pleasure of joining his parents and grandparents for breakfast. I never laughed so much in one breakfast!"

Ryan added, "Not only was Aaron close to me, but he knew all the staff at CCAS during his time here; he had an infectious personality. I always knew Aaron would thrive in a career in which success was built on one's trustworthiness, likeability and good communication. He had a zest for life that provides me with some comfort. Aaron truly enjoyed his time here, and made the most of every minute and opportunity."

Lisa Collins, assistant director of the Business Career Center (BCC), has similar warm memories. Collins recalled that he was a regular visitor to the BCC, after being admitted to the School of Business. She came to know him so well that when she planned an employer development trip to New York City last year and needed a place to send a large box of printed materials, Aaron Horwitz was the first name that came to mind. Collins asked if she could have them shipped to his office in the World Trade Center. Not only did he not mind, when she showed up in New York, rather than having her come to him, "he took the elevator down the 104 floors to bring the box to me. But that was Aaron," Collins said.

Another person who knew him well is Lauren Reichbach, a UW–Madison alumna and a friend since childhood. "Aaron had such a zest for life," Reichbach recalled. "He had so many friends, he was always smiling, and he was really gregarious. He loved working at Cantor Fitzgerald. The job of bond broker was made for him—he was so good with people."

After the attacks on the World Trade Center, Reichbach said she went to his apartment to wait with his roommate, hoping that he would show up unharmed. His friends and family eventually had to accept the inevitable.

A memorial service celebrating his life was held October 7 in New York City and was attended by more than 800 people from all over the country. At the service, many people shared special memories of his ability to live life to the fullest.

Mike Ding, who was Aaron Horwitz's college roommate for three years, told those assembled at the memorial service: "It's funny how God seems to take people when they are on top of their game and on top of the world, because that's exactly where Aaron was. He truly lived an amazing life for a 24-year-old. He accomplished more in his time than most people do in a lifetime."

Aaron Horwitz is survived by his parents, Allan and Liz Horwitz, a sister, Tara, and brothers Robbie and Blake. As news of their loss spread, throughout the fall, the family received messages of support and warm memories from those who knew Aaron Horwitz from summer camp, high school, college and Cantor Fitzgerald, among others.

Even after graduation, he often returned to visit Madison. "Wisconsin was a special place for Aaron," Reichbach said. She added, "There were so many people in his life who cared about him, that we are more at peace, knowing he's in so many people's thoughts."

The Aaron Horwitz Memorial Fund has been established at the University of Wisconsin Foundation. Contributions can be made through the UW Foundation, P.O. Box 8860, Madison, WI 53708–8860 or on-line. (Checks should be made payable to the UW Foundation.) For additional information, please contact Jim Kubek at the UW Foundation, 608/265–7942, jim.kubek@uwfoundation.wisc.edu.