Jack Weil

Infobox Person


image_size = 150px
name = Jack Weil
birth_date = birth date|1901|3|28
birth_place = Evansville, Indiana, United States
death_date = death date and age|2008|08|13|1901|3|28
death_place = Denver, Colorado, United Statescite news | url=http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_5534379 | title=Rockmount's chief turns 106 | author= Shanley, Will | work=Denver Post | date=March 27 2007 | accessdate=2008-08-14]
occupation = Founder and CEO of Rockmount Ranch Wear

Jack Arnold Weil (March 28 1901 – August 13 2008) was the founder and CEO of the Denver-based Western clothing manufacturer [http://www.rockmount.com Rockmount Ranch Wear] and was believed to be the oldest working CEO in the United States.

Weil was born in Evansville, Indiana in 1901. In 1926, Weil (also known as Papa or "Papa Jack") married Beatrice Baum, and two years later the couple moved to Denver, Colorado, with their newborn son, Jack B. Seven years later, their daughter, Jane, was born, and in 1946, Weil rented a space at 1626 Wazee Street in Denver and set about trying to create a fashionable yet practical identity for the western ranchers of the region. Rockmount's fashions were featured prominently in the 2005 Academy Award-winning film "Brokeback Mountain".

Weil was well-known for coining the phrase "The West is not a place, it is a state of mind." He was the first person to put snaps on Western shirts, patented the saw-tooth pocket design seen on many Western shirts, and was credited with inventing the bolo tie.

Weil's wife died in 1990, followed by his son Jack B. in 2008.Haimeri, Ami (January 29 2008). [http://money.cnn.com/2008/01/23/smbusiness/jack_b_weil.fsb/?postversion=2008012314 Western wear innovator Jack B. dies] . "CNNMoney"]

He claimed to have quit smoking at age 60, drinking at age 90 and eating red meat at 100. [ [http://www.management-issues.com/2006/5/25/blog/the-worlds-oldest-ceo.asp The World's oldest CEO? ] ] However, Weil said he had a shot of Jack Daniel's twice a week for "medicinal purposes," specifically, to keep his blood thin.

Weil died at home on August 13 2008.cite news | url=http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/aug/13/oldest-working-ceo-jack-weil-dies-107/ | title=Oldest working CEO Jack Weil dies at 107 | author=Ensslin, John C. | work=Rocky Mountain News | date=August 13 2008 | accessdate=2008-08-14] cite web |url= http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/feedarticle/7725501 |title= Denver Western wear maker Jack Weil dies at 107 |author= Ivan Moreno |work= The Guardian |date= 14 August 2008 |quote= ] Martin, Douglas (August 14, 2008). [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/15/business/15weil.html Jack A. Weil, the Cowboy’s Dresser, Dies at 107.] "New York Times"]

Notes

References

* Martin, Douglas. [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/15/business/15weil.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=jack%20weil&st=cse&oref=slogin "Jack A. Weil, the Cowboy’s Dresser, Dies at 107,"] "New York Times." August 14, 2008.
* [http://www.economist.com/obituary/displayStory.cfm?story_id=12000749 Jack A. Weil, patriarch of western clothing, died on August 13th, aged 107,"] "The Economist" (print edition). August 28, 2008.