Saint Elizabeth University Remembers Former Trustee Alan S. Painter
July 26, 2026
Saint Elizabeth University mourns the passing of Alan S. Painter, a former member
of Saint Elizabeth University’s Board of Trustees and a devoted friend and champion.
Alan entered eternal life on July 26, 2026. He was 91.
Alan's life was defined by service, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to strengthening the communities and institutions around him. His impact on Saint Elizabeth University was profound and lasting, and his generosity of spirit and counsel helped advance the University's mission and its commitment to transforming lives through education.
A graduate of Middlebury College, Alan began his professional life in sales before building a distinguished career in corporate public affairs and philanthropy. At Allied Chemical, AlliedSignal, and ultimately Honeywell International, he served as Director of Community Affairs and Vice President and Executive Director of the Honeywell International Foundation. In those roles, he helped direct philanthropic resources to nonprofit organizations and community initiatives across the country.
Alan's commitment to service extended far beyond his professional responsibilities. A former United States Marine Corps officer who retired as a lieutenant colonel, he remained a lifelong advocate for the Marine Corps and its scholarship and educational programs. In addition to serving as a longtime Trustee at SEU, he also served on the boards of numerous educational, healthcare, arts, and community organizations, including Drew University, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Morristown Memorial Hospital, the United Way of Morris County, and Morris Arts Council. He also served as a volunteer firefighter in Morristown.
That same spirit of service made Alan an extraordinary Trustee and advocate for Saint Elizabeth University. He understood the transformative power of education and believed deeply in investing in institutions that create opportunity and strengthen communities. He brought to the University a rare combination of corporate leadership, philanthropic expertise, civic commitment, and genuine care for students and the University's future.
For those at Saint Elizabeth who had the privilege of knowing him, Alan was more than a Trustee. He was a trusted adviser, advocate, and friend. His influence will endure in the institution he helped strengthen and in the many lives touched by his service and generosity.
Saint Elizabeth University extends its deepest condolences to Alan's family and loved ones. We are profoundly grateful for his service to Saint Elizabeth and for the lasting legacy he leaves at the University.