July 29, 2008

USF Public Affairs Assisted in compiling this story.

Arthur C. Zief, BA '41, JD '47, who transformed the University of San Francisco Law School with his support of the law library and student scholarships and whose personality and heart are remembered as larger than life, died July 25. He was 89.

In addition to his generous support of the law school and a litany of university projects, Zief was a passionate supporter of USF Athletics. A fixture at Dons basketball games, Zief funded scholarships, including the Arthur Zief Jr./Phil Smith Endowed Fund and the Dorraine Zief Endowed Fund, with the proceeds going directly to the men's basketball program.

Zief made major contributions in the renovation of War Memorial Gymnasium in the late 1990's and the lobby is now named for his son, Artie Jr. One of the most constant images of any USF basketball game during the past five decades was Zief sitting in one of his 10 courtside seats eating homemade popcorn.

"USF Athletics owes a great deal to Art Zief," USF Athletic Director Debra Gore-Mann said. "He will be cherished and remembered by all of our athletic staff, coaches and student athletes - past and present. His commitment and passionate support of the Dons is an inspiration to all. While we are deeply saddened by this loss, we celebrate his life and legacy of generosity to our programs and student athletes."

One of Zief's final public acts at the university he loved, occurred at Benedetti Diamond, home of the USF baseball team. Zief was on hand to throw out the ceremonial first pitch May 10 when USF defeated No. 8 San Diego and did so with gusto.

Zief leaves a distinguished legacy as the law school's most generous donor. The Zief Scholarship endowment, valued at $9 million, supports 75 second- and third-year law students each year. His $3.2 million gift in 1998 to support the construction of a new law library, which he named for his wife, Dorraine, represents the largest gift by an individual in the university's history.

"He was such a huge presence at USF that his passing seemed like an event that would never happen," Dean Jeff Brand said. "Now that it has, I hope that we will all reflect on the ways he transformed the law school and remember his unswerving and inspiring belief in how good we are and the potential that we have."

Zief was born in Buffalo, N.Y., in 1919. His parents died when he was a young boy, and Zief later moved to California with his sister during the Depression. He attended Lowell High School and then earned a bachelor's degree from USF. He spent four years in the Navy before returning to USF for law school. Zief met his wife at a USF dance and they married six weeks later. The young couple struggled to make ends meet while Zief was a student. After graduating, he went on to practice law in San Francisco for more than 40 years.

Zief was committed to providing students with the best learning environment, with his support of the Dorraine Zief Law Library being a prime example. While the library was being built, Zief was a fixture at the construction site. He would monitor the progress from the Kendrick Hall parking garage overlooking the site in a director's chair with his name on the back that the law school made for him, and many of the workers quickly knew him on a first name basis.

Not only did he transform the law school with his generosity, but he was also a dedicated supporter of the wider university. As an undergraduate, he collected money from every student to pay for a new campus watering system. When he graduated in 1941, he received the university's "Loyalty Award." He went on to become the largest donor in the history of the university.

"USF had no more loyal alum nor munificent benefactor than Art Zief," said USF President Stephen A. Privett, S.J. "Art felt that he owed much of his success to the university and was adamant about his responsibility to give others the opportunities that USF gave him. Art's legacy includes a state of the art law school library and generations of law students who will benefit in perpetuity from the scholarships that he established. While the university community mourns Art's passing, we also celebrate a life of passion and generosity and a personality and heart larger than life itself. Home games for men's basketball will not be the same without Art Zief on the sidelines with a box of popcorn."

His son, who is developmentally disabled, was Zief's other source of philanthropic inspiration. In addition to contributing to organizations that promote the well-being of the developmentally disabled, the Ziefs established the Arthur Zief Jr. Foundation in 1988. The foundation has purchased nine homes in San Mateo County where nearly 50 severely developmentally disabled adults now live.

"I want to help others who don't have parents and others to care for them. I want them to live in good homes. If it's not good enough for me and Dorraine to live in, it's not good enough for those who are disabled," Zief said in a 2001 interview when he was named USF School of Law Alumnus of the Year.

"Artie Jr. has never uttered a word in the 61 years of his life," Brand said. "Art and Dorraine dedicated themselves to giving voice as best as possible to the developmentally disabled. The Arthur Zief Jr. Foundation carries on this noble work."

Zief is survived by his wife, Dorraine; daughter, Reinart Gelzayd; son, Artie Jr. and several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Details are being finalized for a memorial service at USF.