Longtime Milwaukee businessman Herbert Henry Elliott died suddenly June 8 at Chai Point of heart failure. He was 90.
He was born Herbert Emsheimer in Karlsruhe, Germany, where he worked in his family’s grain business. In 1934, the Great Depression in Germany prompted him to immigrate to America. He learned the oil business, first in Oklahoma and then in an oil refining lab. He then moved into sales, as a Midwest regional sales manager in Iowa and Elgin, Ill. There he met his future wife, Fern Handler, and they moved to Milwaukee in 1945.
He purchased Lakeside Oil Company, Inc., and was a member of the Petroleum Marketing Association. His firm was listed as one of Arthur Anderson’s Top 20 Corporations in Wisconsin.
In his spare time, he enjoyed classical music, ballroom dancing, reading and traveling. “Most of all, he loved spending time with family and friends who never tired of hearing him reminisce or tell a funny story or anecdote,” his family recalled.
“Although successful, he never forgot his beginnings and was concerned for people less fortunate. He felt a strong sense of patriotism for America for the freedom it bestowed upon him,” his family said.
Formerly of Whitefish Bay, he belonged to Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun, the American Jewish Committee, B’nai B’rith and Hadassah. He also supported the Milwaukee Jewish Federation.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by son William (Karen) Elliott of River Hills; daughters Julie Elliott of Seattle, Wash., Sharon (Paul) Gelman of Wilmette, Ill., and Trudy (David) Mylrea of Madison; and eight grandchildren.
Rabbi Francis Barry Silberg officiated at a private graveside service at Spring Hill Cemetery.
The family would appreciate memorials to Chai Point, the Milwaukee Jewish Federation or the American Heart Association.
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