District, Friends, Honor 9/11 Victim and Upper Dublin Graduate Bobby McIlvaine

Bobby McIlavine, a 1993 graduate of Upper Dublin, was in the middle of an extraordinary life when it ended on September 11, 2001 at the World Trade Center. He had excelled in every endeavor of his life up to that point. At Upper Dublin High School, McIlvaine was near the top of his class academically, and was a standout on the soccer field and basketball court, twice being honored as the district's scholar athlete of the year.

He went on to Princeton University, where he continued his success in the classroom, graduating in 1997 with an English degree. By 2001, he was already an assistant vice president of media relations for Merrill Lynch, a rising Wall Street star. On September 11, 2001, McIlvaine was on the 106th floor of the World Trade Center’s north tower for an investors’ meeting when the plane struck. He was unable to make it to safety.

Ten years after that moment, Hanan Fishman, McIlvaine's lifelong friend, still wonders what achievements were supposed to follow.

"I think a lot of things have changed, but those are things that you would never know," said Fishman. "You grow up with somebody, at the time he had just gotten engaged. You see this life continuing for somebody who was a very important part of your past and present, and you expect future."

Fishman, a resident of Upper Dublin, arranged to have a memorial plaque placed in the high school's gym, and presented the plaque to the district in a ceremony two days ago.

Fishman also arranged for a $5,000 donation to the Upper Dublin Education Foundation in McIlvaine’s honor. He says that it's important to him to carry on Bobby’s memory as time passes.

"Ten years later, many probably don't even know how unique of a loss this was for our community," said Fishman. "I look it as my job to help people remember, and not because a friend of mine died in 9/11, but to commemorate the memory of the type of person that he was."

McIlvaine’s memory will also now be recalled annually, as the district’s top scholar athlete will receive an award bearing his name.

“Upper Dublin has decided to name the Scholar Athlete Award in Bobby's name,” said Pamela Ryan, of UDEF. “Future graduating seniors who are outstanding scholars and athletes will receive this award.”

In addition, Patch submitted McIlvaine’s story as part of a national gallery honoring those who lost their lives or were affected by the events of 9/11. McIlvaine’s story and image will join with another 910 in the nationally spotlighted collection. You can find his story by clicking here, and navigating to his page by clicking on the 23rd “dot” below the gallery.

For information on how to donate to the UDEF in Bob McIlvaine’s name, and to see more pictures and stories, visit http://bobbymcilvaine.com.