Nathaniel Krumbein, Heilig-Meyers
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, June 27, 2005
Richmond, Va. — Nathaniel Krumbein, a former owner and creative force behind retailer Heilig-Meyers, has died. He was 90.
Krumbein owned a group of drugstores in Charlotte, N.C., before moving to Richmond to join what would become the largest home furnishings store chain in the country.
He was responsible for store acquisition and construction at all Heilig locations and also was credited with expanding the retailer's product lines into non-furniture categories, which eventually accounted for half of Heilig-Meyers' sales.
"Nat was one of the most creative individuals I've ever known," said Jerry Epperson, industry analyst and managing director of Richmond-based Mann, Armistead & Epperson. "He was one of the first retailers I was aware of to go to Asia to buy direct — whether it was electronics, appliances or jewelry."
According to a story by the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Krumbein retired as vice chairman of the Heilig-Meyers board in 1984 — long before the retailer's slide into bankruptcy in 2000.
His public service included terms as chair of the Virginia chapter of the Anti-Defamation League and on ADL's national board. He also was instrumental in improving relations between the Catholics and Jews in the Richmond area.
At his death, he was the oldest registered pharmacist in Virginia.
Krumbein is survived by his wife of 61 years, Amy Meyers Krumbein. Other survivors include four children, seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and a brother.
Memorials may be made to ADL, 823 United Nations Plaza, New York, N.Y., 10017; the First Freedom Center, 1301 E. Cary St., Richmond, Va., 23219; or a charity of one's choice.
