Herman Platt (1909–2005) was an American business executive and philanthropist.

Herman Platt
Born1909
Died2005 (aged 95–96)
Occupation(s)Business executive and philanthropist
SpouseMargie Cerf Platt
FatherBenjamin Platt

Biography

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Early life

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Hermann Platt was born in 1909.[1] His father, Benjamin Platt, was the founder of the Platt Music Corporation and co-founder of the American Jewish University.[2]

Career

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He served as the Chief Executive of the American retail chain, Platt Music Corporation, until 1984 when he became Chairman of the Executive Committee.[1][2][3]

Philanthropy

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He was a key supporter of and fundraiser for Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles, the Jewish Home for the Aging, the City of Hope National Medical Center and the UCLA Foundation. He was also the President of Vista del Mar Charities.

He served as the president of Sinai Temple from 1962 to 1964, after Edward Hyman.[4] He was a co-founder of the Mount Sinai Memorial Park Cemetery. In 2005, Mount Sinai named its chapel and administrative buildings after Platt.

Together with his wife, he endowed the Marjorie and Herman Platt Gallery on the campus of the American Jewish University.

Personal life

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In 1946, he married Margie (née Cerf) Platt.[1] They had one son, Kenneth Platt; and four daughters, Barbara Platt, Susan Platt Baggley, attorney Cynthia Platt Flagg, and producer Nancy Platt Arent Jacoby, as well as ten grandchildren.[1][5] The Platt family has an archive at the UCLA library. The Benjamin Platt Papers (Collection 929) is located in the Department of Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, University of California, Los Angeles.

Death

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He died in 2005 of natural causes.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Herman Platt, 95; Major Fundraiser for University of Judaism, Local Groups". Los Angeles Times. January 4, 2005. p. B-10. Retrieved 2009-10-05.
  2. ^ a b "Changes at Platt Music". The New York Times. March 9, 1984. Retrieved 2009-10-05.
  3. ^ "Platt Music Co., Los Angeles, Makes Increase of $1,000,000 in Its Capital" (PDF). The Music Trade Review. December 1, 1928. Retrieved 2009-10-05.
  4. ^ "New Officers Installed at Sinai Temple". Los Angeles Times. April 1, 1962. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved 2009-10-05.
  5. ^ "Lindsey Arent and Joshua Schank", The New York Times, May 28, 2006.