Salim "Sal" M. Lalani

Salim (Sal) M. Lalani passed away at home after a courageous battle and months of hospital stays and treatments for heart failure. He was born in Nairobi, Kenya, the fourth of six children. Growing up on the equator at nearly 6000 feet provided ample opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. It also offered opportunities to learn and engage with a multiracial and diverse community. He completed his primary and high school education in Nairobi before proceeding to university in the United Kingdom. He graduated magna cum laude from Swansea University in Wales with an honors degree in economics. He was active in college hockey, cricket and debate teams.

Upon graduation, he was offered a scholarship to pursue graduate studies in the United States at the University of Chicago, where he had the good fortune to be exposed to some eight current and future Nobel laureates in economics.

After graduating with an MBA, he pursued a career in finance, joining Bank of America's management program and being assigned to the rapidly growing international division in San Francisco. There, he met Carol Glenn, a Montana native and an officer in the Investment Securities Division. Two plus years later, they were married in 1972.

Over the next several years, Sal assumed increasingly greater responsibilities in credit, commercial, and investment banking in Singapore, Malaysia, San Francisco, the Philippines, New York, Hong Kong, and London. He and Carol, who worked in banking, enjoyed all the various experiences they shared.

After nearly 16 years, his lingering entrepreneurial urge led him to establish his own investment banking boutique, Sandown Capital Corporation, in London, England, in 1987. It remained very successful until his retirement some 30 years later. With family imperatives necessitating a move to Bozeman, he commuted to London for nearly 16 years to run the business until his retirement.

During his banking and financial career, Sal developed a reputation as the "go-to" guy for complex multinational, multi-currency undertakings.

Marking its centenary in 2020, Swansea University named 100 alumni throughout its 100-year history as the most inspiring. He was proud to be included in that list.

Over the years, he developed a passion for philanthropy and sports. Together with his wife Carol, they helped establish the Shane Lalani Center for the Arts in Livingston, the Shane Pavilion at Story Mill Park in Bozeman, the Shane Lalani Birthing Center at Livingston Memorial Hospital, and many areas at the Bozeman Hospital -- all in memory of their beloved son who succumbed to Type 1 diabetes at age 24.

Sal and Carol had a passion for human rights around the world, helping to fund underprivileged students, particularly women who were restricted or denied access to education.

A private graveside service was held.

Franzen-Davis Funeral Home has been honored to care for Salim and his family.  To share a memory or offer condolences, please visit below.