Claude L. Ganz
August 5, 1931-January 24, 2021
Former Chairman and CEO of Dymo Industries, Claude L. Ganz, died peacefully, surrounded by family in the early hours of January 24, 2021.
Claude lived a robust life. After fleeing Germany during the Nazi occupation and escaping a French deportation camp, he and his family spent four years living in Swiss internment as refugees before emigrating to the United States in 1947. From 1951-1954 Ganz served in the U.S. Army Intelligence service. Of this period, he said: "I found a place I was accepted, respected, belonged." Soon after, he earned his B.A. in Science from UC Berkeley.
Ganz enjoyed a distinguished professional life. From 1956-1978, he helped elevate Dymo Industries from a cottage industry to a multinational Fortune 500 company. In 1962, he received the President John F. Kennedy Award for Export Expansion, and in 1987, Sweden's King Gustaf Medal for contributions to the Swedish economy. In 1997, President Bill Clinton appointed Ganz to become Special Representative of the President for Economic Reconstruction in Bosnia. He spent 18 months aiding the peace process and rebuilding the infrastructure in the war-torn region, for which he received the Peace Prize from the Bosnian government.
Ganz will be remembered for his expertise with start-up businesses as well as his humanitarian and philanthropic efforts. A survivor of the Holocaust, he was a tireless advocate for Jewish education as a way to promote interfaith harmony. Recognized as the driving force in the formation of their Jewish Studies Program, Ganz was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Sonoma State University. A lover and supporter of the arts, Ganz served as president of the San Francisco Jewish Museum and served on numerous boards including PBS, American Conservatory Theatre, and KQED.
Claude was the 'other' Claude, as in Monet. One trip to his Glen Ellen Estate transported the visitor to a California version of Giverny. Gardening, food, wine music, and celebration were his passions and he delighted in sharing all of it with family and friends. He traveled the world, spoke four languages, and formed life-long relationships wherever he went lighting up any room with his trademark smile and joie de vivre.
Claude Ganz was an adoring husband and proud father, grandfather, and great grandfather. To those fortunate to be his friend, he was fiercely loyal.
He lived his legacy.
He is survived by Lynn, his loving wife of 42 years. Children: Aryeh Ganz (Simona), David Ganz (Kanyawee), Stacy Allegro (Giorgio), Bill Preisler. Grandchildren: Ayala (Yitzchok Levy), Yael (Moishe Chevrony), Yakov Ganz, Menachem Ganz, Rivka Ganz, Miriam Ganz, Seyah Ganz, Jeetah Ganz, Shayna Preisler, Griffin Preisler. Great Grandsons: Avi and Rafael Levy, Eli and Yitzchok Chevrony.
Claude's family is grateful to Rhoda Goldman Plaza and their staff for the extraordinary care and compassion they brought to Claude's life.