A Loyal Duck with a Passion for the Arts: UO Remembers Andrew Berwick
SAN MATEO — Andrew Berwick Jr., an esteemed alumnus of the University of Oregon and an unwavering champion of the arts, passed away on November 25, 2023, at the age of 89.
Phyllis and Andrew Berwick—known to friends as Phyzz and Andy —were transformative supporters of arts at the UO. Together, they strengthened student life and music programs, created beautiful, state-of-the-art work and performance spaces with Berwick Hall, and helped transform the Oregon Bach Festival into the internationally recognized cultural event that it is today.
“Andy and Phyzz enriched the campus experience for countless students, our entire community, and music lovers from around the globe," said Sabrina Madison-Cannon, the Phyllis and Andrew Berwick Dean of the School of Music and Dance. “Phyzz is known for saying that ‘When people forget about the arts, they forget about what makes human beings human. That’s the whole purpose of giving: to inspire others, because what you get in return is complete joy.’ "Due to this core value, Phyzz and Andy became passionate and intentional supporters of the arts. They have an incomparable legacy as tireless champions of music in particular and have been two of our most generous supporters.”
A true Duck love story, Phyzz and Andy met as undergraduates at the UO during the 1950s. Andy was serving on the EMU board and Phyzz was chair of the dance committee. They were both active in the Greek system, Alpha Chi Omega and Beta Theta Pi, respectively. Andy graduated with a business degree in 1955 and went on to build a highly successful career in real estate development as the founder of the Berwick-Pacific Corporation in San Mateo, California. Phyzz earned her degree in early childhood education in 1956 and would go on to a career in teaching.
Their shared love of music was a consistent theme throughout their long tradition of philanthropic giving to the university.
Starting in 2005, the couple became significant contributors to the Oregon Bach Festival, including a $7 million gift in 2014 to establish the Berwick Academy as one of the world’s top orchestral training programs for historically informed performance practice; and $1.7 million to endow the festival’s professional chorus. They eventually bought a condo in Eugene so they could live here throughout the OBF Festival and glorious Oregon summer months that Phyzz remembered so fondly from her Portland childhood days. As some of their closest friends would comment, "they made more friends in Eugene than most people do in a lifetime."
In 2017 they made the lead gift for Berwick Hall, giving $6.5 million toward construction of the 10,000 square foot facility that today provides space for rehearsals, recitals, lectures, and receptions, as well as administrative offices and support space, in addition to giving the Oregon Bach Festival a dedicated home on the UO campus.
In 2019 they pledged $5 million to establish an endowed deanship at the School of Music and Dance, providing foundational support for innovation and growth in student and faculty projects, programming, and performance.
Outside the arts, they established the Richard C. Williams Endowed Student Leadership Fund, which supports programs, activities, and scholarships in honor of the first director of the Erb Memorial Union, a mentor to Andy.
Andy served on the UO Foundation Board of Trustees from 2011 to 2018, where he ushered in transformational change to the Board and was a lifetime member of the Oregon Bach Festival Board. Phyzz helped lead her 60th reunion in 2016. The UO recognized Phyzz and Andy for their incomparable dedication to the arts at UO and overall service in advocating for philanthropy with a Pioneer Award in 2014 – you can watch a tribute video on Phyzz and Andy here.
Andy is survived by Phyzz and their two children, Andrew III and his wife Merri, Jeanne and her husband Jim, three grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Phyzz and Andy over the years:
