Jack Nadel, businessman, industry leader, World War II hero, philanthropist, speaker and award-winning writer, passed away of natural causes at his home in Santa Barbara, California, on Saturday. He was 92.
A pioneer in the promotional products industry, Nadel started distributor Jack Nadel International with his late wife, Elly, in Los Angeles in the 1950s. He also brought name brands into the industry such as the Pierre Cardin brand and was one of the first industry companies to hire women.
In the 1960s he was elected to the PPAI board of directors and served as chair in 1970-71. In 1988 PPAI honored him with induction into the PPAI Hall of Fame. Nadel will be remembered not only for his legacy in the promotional products industry but for his generous gifts of time, talent and money to education, health care causes and other charities that were important to him.
Over the years he mentored many future entrepreneurs and his latest book, The Evolution of an Entrepreneur, became an award-winning e-book. He also won the inaugural Entrepreneurial Lifetime Notable Achievement Award from Santa Barbara City College.
Nadel is survived by his wife, Julie, children Judie and Jeff, stepchildren Shari and Hillary, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at Santa Barbara Cemetery at 11:30 am on Thursday, September 28.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts in his memory be sent to Sansum Clinic (P.O. Box 1200, Santa Barbara, California 93102, Attn: Dru A. Hartley). These gifts will be directed to the Nadel Prescription Navigator Program.
Read more about Jack Nadel in Tuesday’s PPB Newslink.
