The president and CEO of the United Way of Metropolitan Nashville, Eric Dewey, passed suddenly overnight.
Sources said Dewey's death was a result of an aortic aneurysm.
Dewey has led the Nashville chapter of the United Way since 2008.
Before coming to Music City, the veteran United Way leader was serving in the same position in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where he worked for 12 years.
The United Way of Metropolitan Nashville released the following statement this weekend following Dewey's death:
"Eric Dean Dewey, president and chief executive officer of United Way of Metropolitan Nashville, died suddenly Friday evening from heart complications during tests at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. He was 54.
United Way of Metropolitan Nashville Board Chair Dr. Michael Schatzlein said, “We have lost a great friend and leader in Eric Dewey, who challenged us to be the very best community we can be and who was a bright and tireless leader toward that end.”
Dewey joined the local organization in June 2008 after a comprehensive nationwide search. During his career that spanned more than three decades, Dewey served five communities in leadership roles with United Way—Nashville; Kalamazoo, MI; Detroit, MI; Jackson, MI; and Somerset County, NJ.
Dewey was a strong advocate of collaborative community impact, leading on such issues as early childhood education, financial stability and health.
He served leadership roles in United Way Worldwide (UWW), including as a member of its National Professional Council; chair of UWW’s Economic Model Task Force Subcommittee; UWW Talent Task Force; and Co-Chair for the 2008 and 2012 United Way Global Community Leaders Conferences.
'Eric Dewey was a local leader dedicated to national and network success—but more importantly dedicated to the development of strong leaders, young professionals, and the volunteers who give of themselves for their communities. His United Way family in Nashville and throughout the country will be ever grateful for his gifts of time and thoughtfulness that make our communities great,' said Brian A. Gallagher, president and chief executive officer of United Way Worldwide.
Dewey graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Cornell College. He and his wife Susan have two sons, Ross and Ryan. Funeral arrangements have not been finalized."
