Remembering Alex

One of the more fortunate turns in my life came when Alex Sachare ’71, then the editor-in-chief of this magazine, hired me as its managing editor in fall 2011.

At that point he’d helmed CCT for more than 13 years and was adjusting to something of a new era as publication shifted from bimonthly to quarterly. The mission hadn’t changed, however — to connect alumni to the College and to each other — and in his quiet, thoughtful way, Alex set about guiding a new kid in the fundamentals. He taught me the importance of Class Notes, the endurance of the Core Curriculum and — more ephemeral — how to navigate this passionate and unique community I’d joined.

My earliest weeks on the job were spent closing the Winter 2011–12 issue. The cover was a serene river scene from Hokusai’s 36 Views of Mt. Fuji and, unusually, the art wrapped entirely around front to back. I still remember him talking about how happy he was to have it. I also remember staying late one night to review a stack of proofs and send corrections to the designer. It was a weighty task, fraught with responsibility; I felt like the only thing standing between the magazine and any errors. Alex came by to check on me before heading out. Did I have questions? Was I OK? I assured him I was (though hardly that confident on the inside). And then he left. He was putting his trust in me, and that felt good. As I came to learn, that trust was foundational. He was someone who allowed space for others’ ideas, gave them room to do what they did well.

These memories and more come to me with a heavy heart. Alex passed away on June 12; he was 76.

Alex was the caretaker of CCT for 93 issues, almost 19 years. He and I worked together full time for more than four of those years, and then for another decade after his retirement as he continued as a contributing writer and editor.

From the beginning, I recognized Alex to be a consummate alumnus. What greater show of dedication to your alma mater than to lead its alumni magazine? But the proof went beyond the fact of his editorship, exhibited in an ongoing care for his classmates as well as in numerous installments of this column, where he took up many topics of significance to the College and fondly shared stories of his undergraduate experience. That affinity is far from a given for a student who was on campus during the tumultuous time of Spring ’68.

Alex’s Spectator days were an oft-cited influence; he was sports editor for two years and followed his passion to a career in that same field — first as a sports writer and pro basketball editor at the Associated Press, then as the VP for editorial at the NBA. He also authored or edited more than a dozen sports books. Knowing Alex in the context that I did, the discovery of all this was a jaw-dropper. He wrote a literal encyclopedia on the Chicago Bulls, at a time when the world was on a first-name basis with Michael and Scottie. For me, it was akin to that moment when a kid realizes their parents are not just parents, but actual people with a fullness of interests and life experience.

Above all, however, Alex brimmed with love for his family: his daughter, Deborah BC’14, SPS’18, and his wife, Lori, who predeceased him in 2015. It was a well-known fact that Aruba was his “happy place,” and for many years he and his family enjoyed its sandy shores for two weeks in the spring.

Alex not only gave me a job; he put me on a path that led to this editorship and a rich, fulfilling career. I will be forever grateful. And I know there are many others — classmates, alumni, Columbia colleagues — who knew Alex and will have their own stories to share. I hope you’ll send us a letter about him.

Alex, we dedicate this issue to you.

Alexis Boncy SOA’11
Editor-in-Chief