1998-1999 Award for
Distinguished Achievement Recipient

 Hans J. Bär '45
 

     When Hans J. Bär first came to Horace Mann School in 1941, he and his mother, the second and third generations of a family that owned the only significant Zurich bank founded by Jews, were fleeing the threat of a Nazi invasion of their native country. He returned to the school on March 15, 1999 to accept the 1998-1999 Alumni Association Award for Distinguished Achievement after an outstanding career for which he is globally recognized in the banking and finance communities. On this side of the Atlantic he may be most recognized for his role in bringing about an investigation and ultimate settlement of Holocaust claims against Swiss banks. Mr. Bär helped draft the 1996 agreement between the Swiss Bankers Association and the World Jewish Congress, which established a commission to oversee an audit of Holocaust-related accounts at Swiss banks. Many credit him with leading the Swiss banking community to deal with this issue. As Israel Singer, director-general of the World Jewish Congress, said, "I was doing the heating up, and he was doing the resolving." In addition to his work as a member of the Volcker Commission, more formally known as the Independent Committee of Eminent Persons (ICEP), which is overseeing the audit, Mr. Bär holds the title of Honorary Chairman of Bank Julius Bär Holding.
     Bank Julius Bär Holding is regarded as one of the most prestigious of the private Swiss banks. It spans the globe, with offices in London, Geneva, Hong Kong, Paris, Frankfurt, Vienna, Munich, Montreal, and Los Angeles. It has a federally chartered branch in New York, which was the first foreign bank branch to be granted fiduciary powers by the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, allowing it to perform both banking and securities-related functions. During a special reception and dinner, Mr. Bär received the Award for Distinguished Achievement after several remarks and recollections by classmates, Robert Carneiro '45 and Bruce Dohrenwend '45, as well as Pulitzer Prize winner and former recipient of the Award for Distinguished Achievement in 1964, Anthony Lewis '44. David Jacoby '72, vice president of the Alumni Council, made remarks to a crowd of over 120 guests including three other past Award for Distinguished Achievement recipients: Arthur H. Aufses, Jr. '42, Alvin M. Josephy, Jr. '32, and S. William (Bill) Green '46. "I read many words that various writers have used to try to describe Hans Bär: statesmanlike, diplomatic, influential, driving force. But I think the single characteristic which perhaps most distinguishes Hans Bär is what John Tagliabue of The New York Times described as his ability in the last few years to put a human face on the response to a tragic period in modern history," said Mr. Jacoby.
     After receiving the award, Mr. Bär said, "It's a great honor to receive the Award for Distinguished Achievement, especially as the first foreign recipient. Thank you for the honor to come back after many years." He went on to discuss recent difficulties in dealings between the United States and Switzerland and ended with an appeal for fair and good citizenship on the part of all world citizens.
     Mr. Bär's visit to Horace Mann comes after a twenty year absence. "It feels great to be back at Horace Mann," said Mr. Bär during a short interview at the Alumni House and Development Office. "I knew very little English when I came to Horace Mann. For me, the years here were my formative ones. I learned everything here — I played the cello in the orchestra, played tennis, and swam for the swim team, which I continued in college." One of his most memorable teachers was Mr. William Nagle, who taught Latin. "We had to buy green neck ties from him because he was Irish. He was awe-inspiring and tough. The other great personality, of course, was Mr. Tillinghast. Why he let me in to Horace Mann, I do not know. As I mentioned, I knew very little English at the time," recounts Mr. Bär.
     After graduating from Horace Mann, Mr. Bär received a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from Lehigh University, a Master of Arts in Economics from New York University, and Visiting Fellowships at Oxford University and at Harvard Center for International Affairs. In 1951, he wrote a book on the banking system of Switzerland (Schulthess Polygraphischer Verlag AG, Zurich) that went through five editions. In 1997, Lehigh University conferred upon him an honorary Doctor of Laws. Over the years, Mr. Bär has held numerous leadership positions in banking industry associations as well as in Swiss-American organizations.

This article is reprinted from the spring 1999 issue of Horace Mann, page 26.


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