Gerald and Gail Oppenheimer

"Each year, the ICON award is presented to an honoree or honorees who exemplify the Center's motto of Living Better Longer, and provide outstanding role models for all of us," said Dr. Gary Small, center director. "This year's honorees have made, and continue to make, outstanding contributions to society, and are models of successful aging that we can all exemplify." The honorees are Gail and Gerald Oppenheimer.

Gerald Oppenheimer was born in Kansas City, Missouri on July 11, 1922. He was educated by graduating from the Webb School at Claremont, California, and the Curtis Wright Technical Institute of Glendale, California. At the same time he obtained his flying license at the Metropolitan airport, now called the Van Nuys Airport.

In 1940, he founded a company as subcontractor to manufacture airplane parts for North American Aviation Co. and the Lockheed Co. in Burbank. He sold his interest in this company to his partner after he was asked to become a civilian flight instructor in 1942. He taught Army Air Force cadets to fly at Thunderbird Field in Phoenix.

In 1944, Jerry joined the Army Air Force as a Warrant Officer. He received his Service Pilot wings and spent the balance of World War II in the Air Transport Command flying and testing mostly single pilot fighter planes. He stayed in the Air Force Reserve and received combat wings and a commission.

He moved to Kansas City to manage an automobile and parts wholesaling company. Four years later, he was recalled during the Korean War. During the following two years, he flew F84 jet fighters in England, Norway, Libya, Japan, and Korea. He flew 21 combat missions in Korea.

He returned to Kansas City and continued operating his automobile parts business. He became an early member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO). He then founded with his brother Oppenheimer Industries, a cattle and real estate company.

In 1958, Gerald Oppenheimer developed a computer program for inventory control for automobile dealers. ASI was established to market the software. Howard Hughes purchased the company in 1963, and Oppenheimer moved to California to work with ASI for Hughes. He re-purchased the company from Hughes in 1964, and operated it for two years. He then sold the company to Litton Industries. He worked for Litton for three years.

From there to about 1981, Oppenheimer worked as a computer system consultant (System Design Associates). After 1981, he began promoting non-profit projects.

Gail Wiley Oppenheimer was born and bred in Southern California, growing up in the San Marino-Pasadena area in her youth and in the Westside of Los Angeles in her adult years. She graduated from Polytechnic and Westridge schools in Pasadena, Finch College in New York City, and Stanford University in Palo Alto.

The art world was her major thrust after studying art history and living in New York City for two years. She worked for several years in the advertising arena. Following that, and with her two children in mind, she taught art at LACMA in the children's art program, and she also became the art teacher for the Westside After School Art Program. At the same time, she entered into the art dealing world as a private dealer.

She became a partner in Feingarten Galleries, started in 1945, which evolved into her ownership and presidency of the gallery when her husband, Chuck Feingarten, passed away in 1981. Modern master works of art and especially the sculpture of Rodin, considered the father of modern sculpture, and his 20th century followers, were their specialties. Today the gallery is private and the thrust is more eclectic. She has retained her membership in the Art Dealer Association of America in New York City.

Gail is also involved with LACMA, Costume Council, Blue Ribbon, and the Diadames. She works with Jerry on projects at the UCLA East-West Clinic, Jules Stein Eye Institute, and other UCLA medical divisions. Gail considers these endeavors the most meaningful. "To be able to truly help others is personally very rewarding." Between the two of them they have five children.

The ICON Gala is sponsored by Janssen Pharmaceutica Products. This year's event is chaired by Patricia Dunn Grey, with honorary chairs Colonel Buzz Aldrin, Art Linkletter, Nanette Fabray MacDougall, and Dr. S. Jerome Tamkin.

Fomer ICON recipients include Robert Ahmanson, Colonel Buzz Aldrin, Norman Corwin, Hugh Downs, Nanette Fabray MacDougall, Art Linkletter, David Haft, George Page, Pascal, Dr. S. Jerome Tamkin, and John Wooden.

The Gala supports the activities of the UCLA Center on Aging, including making seed funding available for the newest and most promising research on topics related to aging. For ticket information, contact the Center at (310) 794-0676.