LAWRENCE SCHNADIG DIES AT AGE 89

Furniture World Magazine

Lawrence K. Schnadig, Chairman of the Schnadig Corporation, one of the last surviving privately held manufacturers of upholstered furniture, died at his home in Highland Park, IL on Wednesday, June 25, 1997 after a long illness. He was 89. Mr. Schnadig, a graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, started his long and successful career in the furniture business with the Pullman Couch Company where he became president. When that business was sold, he formed Schnadig Corporation in partnership with Sears, Roebuck & Co. in 1951. Although Sears' interest was subsequently purchased, the company's business relationship continues to this day and Schnadig Corporation remains one of the leading names in living room furniture with customers throughout the United States, Canada, and Northern Europe. In October of 1990, Mr. Schnadig was elected by his peers into the American Furniture Hall of Fame. "Everyone in this industry and in this community loved and respected Lawrence Schnadig for his business acumen, integrity, and compassion," said his son-in-law, Donald Belgrad, now Schnadig's president and CEO. "It is obviously a loss to us as a family, but also to the business, our industry and to society at large," he added. In addition to his many business interests, which included serving as Chairman of the Board's Executive Committee of Alden's, the former Chicago mail order company, and Chairman of the Board of the National Bank of Hyde Park, Mr. Schnadig was active in many charitable groups, particularly those concerned with child care. He was an honorary life trustee of the Children's Home and Aid Society, a member of the Committee on Dependent and Neglected Children, and a member of the Advisory Committee of the Institute for Juvenile Research. He was past president of the Board of Trustees of the Jewish Children's Bureau of Chicago. Mr. Schnadig was also a member of the War Production Board during World War II. His wife, Dorothy said, "As devoted as Lawrence was to his business and his family, he was equally committed to those philanthropies that looked out for less fortunate members of our society, especially younger ones. His love of children found particular expression in total involvement with his many grandchildren." In addition to his wife, Mr. Schnadig leaves two sons, J. Lawrence Schnadig and Richard (Patricia) Schnadig, a daughter, Susan (Donald) Belgrad, ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.