Gary Beringer

We are deeply saddened to share the news that Gary Beringer, Member and Fellow of the Inaugural Institute in 2015 passed away January 27, 2021. An epidemiologist with more than 40 years of experience, Gary came to his disability identity and leadership later in life, and joined the Institute at a time when he wanted to make a larger civic impact. Gary wrote about his experience, “I have served in many leadership positions in various professional organizations and at many levels – municipal, state, national, and international. But it took being together with other disabled people to reawaken my drive to be a leader.” “The Institute gave me a tremendous opportunity to put my disability—and indeed my life—in perspective. It reinvigorated my leadership style so that I now want to take a prominent role in civic engagements…Each Fellow went through a personal journey of self-discovery. I certainly profited from mine.” Gary established strong and lasting relationships with his Fellows in Disability Lead’s Inaugural class. In his honor, they are making a donation in Gary’s name to recognize the impact he had on Disability Lead and Chicago’s civic landscape, for which he cared deeply. Gary served on the board of directors at the AIDS Foundation Chicago for five years, lending both his professional expertise and advocacy for people with disabilities. Gary is survived by his wife, Nancy. Rest In Power. Principal and CEO of Beringer & Associates Litigation Support, Gary Beringer is an epidemiologist with 40 years of experience in academic medicine, government, litigation support and consulting for community-based nonprofit organizations. Gary is a member of the of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago’s Board of Directors. Gary received a B.S. from Fordham University, and a master’s and doctorate of Public Health from Columbia University Faculty of Medicine School of Public Health.