Bernard Gutmann Obituary (1921 - 2015)

Bernard Gutmann, 94, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 7, 2015, surrounded by his family at Zusman House in Columbus, Ohio. Bernie was born in Germany to Ida and Selli Gutmann. At the age of 16, he emigrated to the U.S. sponsored by his great uncle. He attended night school to finish his education while working in a shoe factory and saving money to help his family escape Germany. Bernie served in Patton’s Third Army on the European front during the Normandy campaign narrowly escaping death more than a few times. He was the ultimate workaholic filled with determination and drive. Bernie never forgot where he came from and was grateful for his achievements in all facets of his life. He had a brilliant mind and natural common sense which led to his success in his professional and family life. He deeply loved his family as they loved him. Bernie worked his way up in the shoe industry beginning in a factory in Cincinnati putting labels in shoes. He traveled the ranks as a shoe store manager and then a district manager. He became prominent and highly respected in the shoe industry as President and Founder of CanMart Shoe Ltd. in Canada and then as EVP of Merchandising at Shoe Corp of America. He went on to become President of BeeGee Shoe Company. After retirement, he volunteered at SCORE, but missed working, so he formed T-Shirts and Uniforms by Bernie. He operated his business until two months before his death. He was a great storyteller and well versed on current events. Bernie had many friends and colleagues. He was a devoted family man and loved his family unconditionally. He was proud of the life he lived and not a day went by that he didn’t talk about how lucky he was to find the love of his life, Mary, with whom he shared 68 wonderful years of marriage. Bernie was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Max Gutmann. Bernie is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Mary, their four children, Sandy (Jeff) Glassman, Norman (Gracie) Gutmann, Jeffrey Gutmann and Becky Gutmann, sister, Ilse Schwarz, sister-in-law’s, Rose Frank and Darlene Gutmann Marlowe, grandchildren, Erin Glassman, Matthew (fiancé Vicky Zhou) Glassman, Candi and Manny Holden, Melanie (fiancé Michael Emond) Gutmann, Jake and Zack Yablok, five great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Funeral services will be held at 3:00pm on Tuesday, November 10 at EPSTEIN MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 3232 E. Main St. with Rabbi Misha Zinkow officiating. Burial will follow at Temple Israel Cemetery. Shiva will be in the library at The Alexander, 500 S. Parkview, Bexley OH, 7-9 PM Tues & Wed. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to Zusman House at Wexner Heritage Village, 1151 College Ave. Columbus, Ohio 43209 or the charity of your choice.