Obituary: Harry Bernbaum

Harry Bernbaum, 97, of Longboat Key and Highland Park, Ill., died Jan. 28.

Born Dec. 11, 1917, Mr. Bernbaum graduated from the University of Chicago in 1939 and was a first lieutenant in the Army Air Force. He was co-founder of Seaway Importing and was one of the first American businessmen to travel to Japan in 1956 and helped to further pioneer manufacturing relationships between America and Japan for the American sporting goods industry.

Mr. Bernbaum was an avid music-lover. He was a life trustee of the Ravinia Festival and a former chairman of its Steans Music Institute. He was a philanthropist involved in many hospitals and the Jewish United Fund in both Chicago and Sarasota.

Following a brief retirement, he and his son, Hank, founded the outdoor company High Sierra.

Mr. Bernbaum is preceded in death by his daughter, Keren-Or Bernbaum. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Harriet; son, L. Harrison Bernbaum; four grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Feb. 2, in Highland Park.

Memorial contributions in Mr. Bernbaum’s name may be made to Ravinia Festival, 200 Ravinia Park Road, Highland Park, IL 60035, or to North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, 1175 Sheridan Road, Highland Park, IL 60035.