Obituaries
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, January 13, 2003
C.R. 'Dick' Reinisch, Philip Reinisch Co.
Glencoe, Ill. — C. Richard "Dick" Reinisch, co-owner and executive vice president of curio specialist Philip Reinisch Co., died unexpectedly Dec. 24 while playing tennis in Weston, Fla. He was 73.
Reinisch joined his brother, Stan, in their father's furniture manufacturing business in 1951 after graduating from the University of Illinois.
In 1979, the Reinisch family changed the business from making tables and other occasional furniture to the exclusive production of curio cabinets. Dick designed many of the innovations in materials utilization and manufacturing systems at the Chicago-based company's plant in St. Anthony, Ind.
Dick Reinisch's survivors include his wife; two sons, including Steve Reinisch, chief operating officer at Philip Reinisch; two daughters; his brother, Stan Reinisch, chief executive officer at Philip Reinisch; and eight grandchildren.
Ben Gaines Sr., founder of Gaines Mfg.
McKenzie, Tenn. — Ben Gaines Sr., who founded upholstery producer Gaines Mfg. in his garage in Memphis in 1945, has died. He was 80.
Gaines moved the company to McKenzie in 1958 and it grew to employ as many as 700. The company was sold to River Oaks in 1994 and later closed.
A high school dropout and World War II veteran who became a millionaire, Gaines' legacy of community service and philanthropy was recognized in 2000 when he was named Carroll Countian of the Year.
His family funded scholarships at Bethel College, based here, which named its Olympic-sized pool for him and his wife.
Gaines' son, Ben Gaines Jr., is chief executive officer of upholstery producer New Generations Furniture, launched here in 1997. New Generations President Rich Favata said he never worked with the elder Gaines but knew of his legacy.
"Mr. Gaines Sr. was indeed a pioneer and innovator in our industry. We send our deepest sympathy to all his family and friends," Favata said.
In addition to his son, Gaines is survived by his wife, two daughters and seven grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Ben and Ludie Gaines Scholarship Fund at Bethel College or to First United Methodist Church, both in McKenzie, Tenn.
Irving R. Gennet, Sleepmaster co-founder
Boca Raton, Fla. — Irving R. Gennet, co-founder and longtime executive of Sleepmaster Products Co., the largest Serta licensee, has died. He was 92.
After graduating from Lehigh University and New Jersey Law School, Gennet practiced bankruptcy law until 1941, when he joined his brother, Abram, as a partner in Sleepmaster. He sold his interest in Sleepmaster to his brother in 1970 and retired from the industry.
He was a founder, director and former president of the New Jersey Furniture Assn. He also was a founder, officer and director of the West Orange Savings and Loan Assn. In 1970, he received the Brotherhood Award from the National Conference of Christians and Jews Furniture Division.
After leaving the industry, he had a successful career as a bankruptcy trustee in Florida, and in 2001 received an award for 30 years of service from that industry's national association. At 92, he was the nation's oldest bankruptcy trustee.
Survivors include his wife and son, Michael Gennet, president of the San Francisco Mart.
Robert F. DeYoung, retired American rep
Rockville, Md. — Retired American of Martinsville sales representative Robert F. DeYoung has died. He was 73.
DeYoung joined American of Martinsville as the retail furniture rep for the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area in 1961. In 1971, he helped establish the company's government sales division.
He was a past president of the MD/DC Home Furnishings Representatives Assn., and was a founding member of the Quality Partnership Council at the National Furniture Center. He retired in 1995.
He is survived by his mother, six children and 12 grandchildren. His son Tom DeYoung and daughters Peggy Hart, Patty DeYoung and Kristin Barcus are contract furniture sales representatives for American of Martinsville.
Memorials may be made to the Garrett County Memorial Hospital Foundation, 251 N. Fourth St., Oakland, Md. 21550, or the American Diabetes Assn.
