Roger Gesswein, CEO of the Paul H. Gesswein Co., has died.
He was 77.
Gesswein passed away July 31 of lymphoma, said John Kennedy, secretary of the 24 Karat Club of New York, in a note to members.
Gesswein was a former president and chairperson of the 24 Karat Club. He had been a member since 1984.
The Paul H. Gesswein Co. is a major supplier of tools and equipment to the jewelry industry.
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A memorial service for Gesswein will be held at a later date, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kennedy wrote.
Official Statement from The Gesswein Family:
It is with great sadness that we announce on the night of Friday, July 31st we lost our beloved CEO and Chairman, Roger H. Gesswein, Jr. He passed at the age of 77.Over the span of more than 50 years, Roger played an integral role in our company’s growth, development, and success. When he first began working in the family business, Gesswein was a small company, operating out of a few offices in lower Manhattan, servicing the northeast. Over the course of his career, the company expanded throughout the US and with Roger’s vision and drive, internationally as well. He successfully spearheaded and established our subsidiaries GessweinSiam in Thailand, Gesswein Trading in India, and Gesswein Canada.
For many, he was the face of Gesswein. Through his charm, wit and passion for selling jewelry tools, he developed deep loyalties from customers, suppliers, and industry peers alike. Whether he was conversing with a retired hobbyist or industry tycoon, he displayed the same passion, enthusiasm and grace. Through these interactions, lasting impressions were made. When people speak about Roger, even if they only met him once and many years ago, they smile and share fond memories. He was a special man and they could see he really loved what he did. He loved Gesswein.
He was deeply invested and integrated in the Jewelry industry and had a list of accomplishments that grew with age. Besides being the active Chairman and CEO of Gesswein and our subsidiaries, he was International Board Member and Chapter Chairman of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO). He was President, Vice President, Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and Banquet Chairman of the Twenty-Four Karat Club of the City of New York; Chairman of the Jewelry Board of Trade (JBT), President of New York’s Golden Circle Club, a board member of the Manufacturing Jewelers Suppliers of America (MJSA), and a member of the Boston Jewelers Club. In addition, he was awarded the 1999 National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ) National Humanitarian Award.
Roger was a leader of leaders, an avid traveler, a family man and a friend to many all over the world. We will miss his cunning charm, the lingering smell of his cigar, the stories he would tell, and his relentless drive to push Gesswein into greatness.
For those who wish to honor Roger’s memory with a charitable donation, please send fully tax-deductible donations to the following cause:
Checks should be made payable to:
HUMC Foundation #1126 BMT Inpatient
Memo: In honor of Roger Hudson Gesswein, Jr.
and mailed to:
Hackensack MeridianHackensack University Medical Center Foundation
160 Essex Street, Suite 101
Lodi, NJ 07644
These are the people who nurtured and guided Roger through his long and difficult struggle and cared for him with love and compassion throughout his final months, weeks and days.
