Queen’s University alumnus Alfred Bader (BSc’45, BA’46, Msc’47, LLD’86) died on 23 December 2018: we deeply mourn the passing of this distinguished, visionary philanthropist.

Dr Bader, a successful chemist and entrepreneur and an astute collector of European art, sought to provide Queen’s with the “finest art museum of any university in Canada.” Over the course of fifty years, he donated more than five hundred objects—from paintings to works on paper and sculpture—to build a world-class collection of historical European art at the Agnes. Among its treasures are three paintings by the Dutch master Rembrandt van Rijn, an early devotional painting by the Greek artist El Greco and an intimate nocturne by the German painter Adam Elsheimer.

With typical generosity and foresight, Dr Bader created special funds to ensure the long-term physical and intellectual care of this superb body of works. Dr Bader’s profound generosity will have a lasting impact, as The Bader Collection continues to educate and enchant the Queen’s community and visitors from around the globe for decades to come.