Robert Pritzker

Robert Pritzker
Born Robert Alan Pritzker
June 30, 1926
Chicago, Illinois
Died October 27, 2011 (aged 85)
Nationality United States
Ethnicity Jewish
Alma mater Illinois Institute of Technology
Occupation Businessman
Spouse(s) Audrey Gilbert (divorced)
Irene Dryburgh (divorced)
Mayari Sargent
Children with Gilbert:
Jennifer N. Pritzker (b. James)
Linda Pritzker
Karen Pritzker Vlock
with Dryburgh:
Matthew Pritzker
Liesel Pritzker Simmons
Parent(s) Abram Nicholas Pritzker
Fanny Doppelt

Robert Alan Pritzker (June 30, 1926 – October 27, 2011) was a member of the wealthy Pritzker family.

Biography

Pritzker was born to a Jewish family[1] in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Fanny (née Doppelt) and A.N. Pritzker. He has two brothers: Donald Pritzker and Jay Pritzker.[2] Robert Pritzker received a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology in 1946 and an honorary doctorate in 1984. He taught night courses at IIT and began serving on the Board of Trustees in 1962, and served as a University Regent until the time of his death. He also taught evening classes at the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business (now the Booth School of Business) in the late 1970s and through the 1980s. His class consisted of cases developed from actual business take-overs he was involved with, and students had to recommend whether or not to purchase the companies under study. Pritzker started The Marmon Group, an international association of autonomous manufacturing and service companies. Marmon's assets constitute half of the Pritzker family fortune. Robert's success can be partially attributed to his unique business structure, in which employees are trusted to make more key decisions, independent of the central office, than in other typical manufacturing settings. This independence allows for more creativity, and increases speed and productivity. Concurrently, Pritzker spent a year as Chairman of the National Association of Manufacturers.

In 2002, Robert Pritzker retired from his position of President of The Marmon Group and assumed the role of President of Colson Associates, Inc., a holding company of caster, plastics moldling, hardware and medical companies, including Acumed, OsteoMed, and Precision Edge Surgical Products Company, among others.[3]

Personal life

Pritzker has been married three times:

Robert Pritzker preferred to fly coach despite having access to a family-owned corporate jet: "If I ask my managers to go coach how can I go first class? That's leadership."[15]

See also

References

  1. The Economist: "Jay Pritzker, pioneer of the modern hotel chain, died on January 23rd, aged 76" January 28, 1999
  2. Jay Pritzker, Who Built Chain Of Hyatt Hotels, Is Dead at 76 – New York Times
  3. Turitto, Vince T. (2007). "Who Is Robert Pritzker?". BMES Bulletin (Landover, MD: Biomedical Engineering Society) 31 (4): 9.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 CNN Money: "THE PRITZKERS UNVEILING A PRIVATE FAMILY Can you believe it? These billionaires actually like each other. But as Pritzkers proliferate, a worry arises: Can they maintain their striking success – and keep everyone happy?" By Ford S. Worthy April 25, 1988
  5. 5.0 5.1 Yale University: "Slow readers, creative thinkers: gift will spur dyslexia studies – New center will explore links between reading problems, creativity" retrieved December 21, 2012
  6. 6.0 6.1 Encyclopedia of Cleveland History: "Biography of the Ratner Family" retrieved December 21, 2012
  7. Geidner, Chris (August 23, 2013). "Billionaire Backer Of Open Transgender Military Service Comes Out As Transgender". BuzzFeed. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
  8. 8.0 8.1 Pritzker Military Library website: "Colonel (IL) J. N. Pritzker, IL ARNG (Retired)" retrieved December 21, 2012
  9. Berg Properties: "Housing Bulletin — Irene Pritzker Sells Her Kenilworth Mansion" By Dennis Rodkin March 19, 2008
  10. Opportunity International: "Irene D. Pritzker, and Attendees of World Leadership Forum Dinner, Reflect on her Global Philanthropy Award and the Work of IDP Rising Schools Program" September 28, 2010
  11. IDP Foundation website retrieved August 27, 2013
  12. Vanity Fair: "A Matter of Trusts: Shattered Dynasty" by Suzanna Andrews May 2003
  13. Chicago Tribune: "Out Of Burma" by Rick Kogan March 01, 1998
  14. Freedom Heroes: "FREEDOM HERO: INGE SARGENT" by Jennifer Beck retrieved December 21, 2012
  15. New York Times: "HOW THEY DEAL AND MULTIPLY" By Marylin Bender February 26, 1984

External links