Obituary for Arthur J. Samberg
Arthur J. Samberg, a long-time resident of Ossining and Chappaqua, passed away on July 14, 2020 at home from leukemia. He was 79.
Art was born in the Bronx on February 6, 1941 to Rena (nee Goldman) and Philip. Lovingly raised by his parents first in the Bronx and then, starting at age 8 in Tenafly NJ, Art learned the values of hard work, humility, and close family relationships. He and his wife Becky instilled these values in their three children, and through them, their seven grandchildren.
Art was a graduate of Tenafly H.S. and an alumnus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (B.S., Engineering), Stanford University (M.S., Aeronautical Engineering) and Columbia University (MBA). He met his wife Becky while both were graduate students at Stanford. He began his career designing rockets for Lockheed Air and Space in California only to decide this wasn’t his calling. He and Becky moved to New York City where he enrolled in Columbia Business School and began a career as a stock analyst, integrating his business acumen and technology knowledge. After excelling at Weiss, Peck and Greer in the 70s and 80s, he went out on his own, ultimately founding Westport-based Pequot Capital which grew into a preeminent hedge fund. Over the last 15 years he managed family entities, along with his sons, with an emphasis on technology-based venture capital.
Art took great joy in giving back to the community. He is a Life Member of the MIT Corporation and has served on the boards of numerous education, cultural and health institutions including, at the time of his death: Columbia Business School Board of Overseers (Chair Emeritus), NY-Presbyterian Hospital, and Jazz at Lincoln Center. Through the charitable grantmaking foundation he and Becky created, he touched people far and wide with his generosity of time and spirit.
Art lived life to its fullest. Whether it was describing his latest investment idea at a family Thanksgiving dinner, coaching his kids’ basketball teams in Chappaqua, playing basketball with his Pequot colleagues, climbing Mt. Kiliminjaro at age 59, or tossing his grandkids around in the pool, he brought passion to everything he did. Art enjoyed travelling and managed to get to six out of seven continents but always made time for summers in Northern Michigan, where he and Becky honeymooned and the extended family gathered each and every summer thereafter.
Art will be lovingly remembered by Becky, his wife of 56 years. He leaves a joyful legacy behind to his three children: Jeff and Debbie of Chappaqua; Laura and Mike Faino of McLean, VA; and Joe and Sandy of Rye. His memory will be treasured by his seven grandchildren: Zack, Max, Heather, Josh, Rachel, Matthew, and Dani. He will be deeply missed. Service and burial are private. The family hopes to celebrate his life together with friends and extended family in the future. In the meantime, please share stories and memories on this web site. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Jacob Burns Film Center, Ossining Children’s Center, Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester.
Art was born in the Bronx on February 6, 1941 to Rena (nee Goldman) and Philip. Lovingly raised by his parents first in the Bronx and then, starting at age 8 in Tenafly NJ, Art learned the values of hard work, humility, and close family relationships. He and his wife Becky instilled these values in their three children, and through them, their seven grandchildren.
Art was a graduate of Tenafly H.S. and an alumnus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (B.S., Engineering), Stanford University (M.S., Aeronautical Engineering) and Columbia University (MBA). He met his wife Becky while both were graduate students at Stanford. He began his career designing rockets for Lockheed Air and Space in California only to decide this wasn’t his calling. He and Becky moved to New York City where he enrolled in Columbia Business School and began a career as a stock analyst, integrating his business acumen and technology knowledge. After excelling at Weiss, Peck and Greer in the 70s and 80s, he went out on his own, ultimately founding Westport-based Pequot Capital which grew into a preeminent hedge fund. Over the last 15 years he managed family entities, along with his sons, with an emphasis on technology-based venture capital.
Art took great joy in giving back to the community. He is a Life Member of the MIT Corporation and has served on the boards of numerous education, cultural and health institutions including, at the time of his death: Columbia Business School Board of Overseers (Chair Emeritus), NY-Presbyterian Hospital, and Jazz at Lincoln Center. Through the charitable grantmaking foundation he and Becky created, he touched people far and wide with his generosity of time and spirit.
Art lived life to its fullest. Whether it was describing his latest investment idea at a family Thanksgiving dinner, coaching his kids’ basketball teams in Chappaqua, playing basketball with his Pequot colleagues, climbing Mt. Kiliminjaro at age 59, or tossing his grandkids around in the pool, he brought passion to everything he did. Art enjoyed travelling and managed to get to six out of seven continents but always made time for summers in Northern Michigan, where he and Becky honeymooned and the extended family gathered each and every summer thereafter.
Art will be lovingly remembered by Becky, his wife of 56 years. He leaves a joyful legacy behind to his three children: Jeff and Debbie of Chappaqua; Laura and Mike Faino of McLean, VA; and Joe and Sandy of Rye. His memory will be treasured by his seven grandchildren: Zack, Max, Heather, Josh, Rachel, Matthew, and Dani. He will be deeply missed. Service and burial are private. The family hopes to celebrate his life together with friends and extended family in the future. In the meantime, please share stories and memories on this web site. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Jacob Burns Film Center, Ossining Children’s Center, Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester.