Nashville businessman and philanthropist Ben R. Rechter, whose behind-the-scenes efforts involving civil rights, education, nonprofits, public media and the arts were integral in making the Middle Tennessee region a national model the past 50 years, died May 7. He was 83.
Rechter was president of Rogers Group Investments Inc. and was a founder and the second-ever board chair at the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, where he remained an active member of its Board of Trustees.
CFMT honored him and other founders with the Joe Kraft Humanitarian Award in 2001. In 2016, he shared the initial Bridge to Equality Award along with his close friend, the late Francis Guess, for their tireless efforts to create equal opportunity in Nashville.
Ben R. Rechter, a Nashville businessman and philanthropist whose background included work in civil rights, education, nonprofits and the arts, died on May 7. He was 83.
Rechter was the former president and CEO of Rogers Group Investments Inc., a co-founder of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and board member of multiple entities, including as chair of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce.
CFMT honored Rechter and other founders of the entity with the Joe Kraft Humanitarian Award in 2001. In 2016, he shared the initial Bridge to Equality Award along with his close friend, the late Francis Guess, for their efforts to create equal opportunity in Nashville.