Max Samuel (Tom) Grumbacher, department store entrepreneur and philanthropist died peacefully at the age of 93 after a lengthy illness.
Voted Director Emeritus of The Bon-Ton Stores Inc in 1996 at the age of 80, he was actively involved in the company for 65 years.
Grumbacher identified the importance of smaller markets and developed new stores in those markets. He was drawn into the family business in 1931 by crisis, rather than by design. He chose the family business over college to insure its survival. He quickly rose to a leadership position, serving as Bon-Ton's President for 28 years, eventually turning over management of the chain's day-to-day operations to his son, M. Thomas (Tim) Grumbacher in 1967.
Grumbacher focused on real estate and expansion strategies until he relinquished his position as Chairman of the company in 1987, but remained on its Board of Directors until his retirement in 1996. Tim Grumbacher is Executive Chairman of the Bon-Ton Board of Directors.
As important as Grumbacher's strategic leadership was his strong commitment to his customers' satisfaction, his associates feeling fairly treated and his support of community involvement, a Grumbacher family tradition. Through his M.S. Grumbacher Foundation, currently managed by his grandson Joshua Grumbacher, he supported scores of educational, cultural, charitable and civic causes including various types of medical research.
In 1999, the Foundation endowed a scholarship in his name for business students at Penn State York. He was also involved in many organizations in his hometown, including the York Chamber of Commerce, York Council of Jewish Charities, United Fund of York City and the York Family Service Bureau.
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