Jac denBoer, retired Weiman executive
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, July 19, 2004
Alanson, Mich. — Industry veteran Jac denBoer has died. He was 78.
Since retiring a few years ago as vice president of sales and marketing for contemporary upholstery producer Weiman, denBoer had been handling the company's sales in Michigan and Ohio.
Prior to joining Weiman in the 1980s, he held sales and merchandising posts with such manufacturers as Hickory-Fry and John Widdicomb.
"Jac was the strongest fabric-to-frame person I've ever seen," said Mike Buskirk, vice president and general manager of Weiman. "There's no question I wouldn't be in the position I am now if it weren't for him."
"He was my mentor," said Jane Matteson, who worked with denBoer at Weiman for 10 years. "He was so insightful about the marriage of fabric and frame. Someone once said that Jac taught as much as he learned in any fabric showing, and it was true. He was a brilliant merchandiser, a courtly gentleman and everyone loved him."
"No one lived life larger than Jac did," said Jim DiPersia, furniture designer and retailer. "He was interested in everything from opera to scuba diving. Every time you saw him, he had a new adventure to talk about."
Survivors include his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
