Rose Elizabeth "Liz" Praetorius, age 50, of Dunkirk, NY, vice president for Finance and Administration at SUNY Fredonia, died unexpectedly on Thursday, February 4, 2016 at Buffalo General Hospital.
Liz was born May 9, 1965 in Kingston, NY. She held a master's degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Finance from Rockefeller College, as well as a bachelor's degree in English, with a minor in Business from the University at Albany.
Liz began her role at SUNY Fredonia on August 1, 2014. Prior to coming to Fredonia, she served at SUNY Maritime College as chief operating officer and vice president for Finance and Administration, a position she held from 2010 through March of 2014.
Her 25-year career was spent entirely within the State University of New York system. During her tenure at Maritime, she was responsible for an operating budget of more than $41 million, coordinated the implementation of the SUNY five-year capital plan, developed and implemented major policies for business operations, provided leadership and overall guidance to the Finance and Administration division, and oversaw 135 professional and unionized employees. She also served as the volunteer head coach of the Maritime Women's Volleyball team from 2011-12, and as assistant coach in 2010.
As vice president for Finance and Administration at SUNY Fredonia, Liz oversaw an annual consolidated operating budget of more than $100 million, as well as a variety of administrative offices such as Accounting, Budget, Internal Control, Payroll and Purchasing, as well as the departments of Environmental Health and Safety, Facilities Planning, Facilities Services, the Faculty Student Association, Human Resources, Student Accounts, and University Services, which collectively employ more than 360 staff members.
She spent the majority of her career serving the University at Albany's Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government, including 19 years as its director for Finance and Administration. Prior to her time with SUNY Maritime in the Bronx, she also served for one year as assistant vice chancellor and director in the Office of Strategic Planning and Accountability within the State University of New York System Administration, in Albany, and was a member of the SUNY Chancellor's Shared Services Steering Committee from 2012-14.
An avid, longtime volleyball player and fan, she served as a player and coach for USA Volleyball from 1993 to 2003. She had also served on the USA Volleyball Regional Board of Directors, including as vice president from 1999 to 2001, and secretary from 1994 to 1999. She also served on the Albany YMCA Board of Directors from 1994 to 2004, including as its finance chair from 1994 to 1999.
Liz is survived by her mother, Rose M. (the late Irving) Oltmann of Ocean View, NJ; her three brothers, Richard (Patricia) of Saugerties, NY, Roger (Jane) of Syracuse, NY and Robert (Dale) Praetorius, of Cape May, NJ; a niece, Nicole Praetorius; and three nephews, Eric, Richard, and Brian Praetorius. She is also survived by many friends, admirers and people who loved her dearly.
Calls may be made Saturday, February 6 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Larson-Timko Funeral Home, 20 Central Avenue, Fredonia, NY, where funeral services will follow at 4 p.m. Flowers gratefully declined. Memorial contributions in Liz's memory may be made to the R. Elizabeth Praetorius Memorial Scholarship Fund, C/O Fredonia College Foundation, 272 Central Avenue, Fredonia, NY 14063.
To offer online condolences please go to www.larsontimkofuneralhome.com. Arrangements by David. J. Dengler.
Obituary from the Observer
