Mail-order catalog pioneer Robert Arnold Hersch, 80, died of pancreatic cancer on
May 8.
He was born in Madison, where he graduated from Westside High School and the University of Wisconsin. After coming to Milwaukee, he became a salesman with Kupper Inc., a jewelry manufacturer. Later, he and his business partner, the late Earl Biller, purchased the company and built it into an advertising empire, known as K Promotions, that specialized in corporate identity buildup.
According to his wife, Ida Pumpian Hersch of Glendale, “He was a salesman who beat all other salesmen…. He was calm, cool and collected and had a captivating way about him.”
He sold the company in 1975, but did not enjoy retirement. In 1985 he and his son Bill started another company, Robert A. Hersch & Associates, a promotional products company. It grew to an $8 million-a-year business by the time the family sold it in 1996.
In his spare time, he enjoyed reading and participating in the Classic Car Club of Wisconsin. “He loved old cars,” his family recalled. His memberships included Congregations Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun and Shalom and the Masons.
In addition, he was a strong supporter of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation. “His favorite charity,” his wife added, “would be anyone and everyone who needed it.”
In addition to his wife, he is survived by sons Bill (Melanie) Hersch of Bayside and Steven Hersch of Milwaukee; daughter Laurie (Joseph) Hersch Jacobs of Los Angeles; and three grandchildren. He is also survived by three stepsons and two step-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his ex-wife, Clarice Hersch (nee Goodstein).
Rabbi Ronald Shapiro officiated at the funeral at Congregation Shalom on May 12. Burial was in Mound Zion Cemetery.
The family would appreciate memorials to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 2221 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 131, El Segundo, CA 90245.
Loading ...