Alexander B. Platt, a lifelong resident of Riverside, died peacefully on Sunday, September 29, 2013.
His immediate family spent his last days together at his bedside, sharing recollections and love. Alex was born to Leonard and Rachel Platt on March 2, 1935, in New York City. He graduated from the Taft School in 1953, Washington and Lee University in 1957 and Columbia University with a PhD in 1964.
Alex was a Dean of Students at Columbia College, where he worked through the infamous student riots in 1968. He went on to work as a publishing executive in New York City before opening his own practice as a management psychologist, consulting with corporations.
Those who knew him well recollect soulful conversations around the dinner table, where he enjoyed challenging those lucky enough to sit next to him to dig deep for answers. He was enthusiastic and mischievous and loved to be with his family. He was a champion of people, always offering an ear and a unique insight.
He was passionate about sailing, reading, listening to classical music, splitting wood, making soups and sitting in front of a roaring fire. He was a student of eastern philosophy. The awareness gained from his practice of meditation, his profession as a psychologist, and his exhaustive exploration of literature are synthesized in his book, The Nature of Joy.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Patricia, his son Alexander Bradford Platt Jr., daughter Corinne Platt Rikkers, and three grandchildren, Dakin, Spenser and Sonja.
A service will be held at 1:00 p.m. November 9, 2013, at the Riverside Yacht Club, where his family will continue to celebrate a life beautifully and consciously lived.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Friends of Greenwich Point, where Alex spent many afternoons walking and looking out across the sea.
—by the family