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Lloyd Rigler

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Lloyd E. Rigler
Born
Lloyd Eugene Rigler

(1915-05-03)May 3, 1915
Lehr, North Dakota US
DiedDecember 7, 2003(2003-12-07) (aged 88)
Los Angeles, California US
Alma materUniversity of Illinois
Occupation(s)Businessman
Philanthropist

Lloyd Eugene Rigler (May 3, 1915 – December 7, 2003)[1][2] was an American businessman and philanthropist. As a businessman, he and a partner, Lawrence E. Deutsch, made Adolph's Meat Tenderizer a national brand.[3] One of his notable philanthropic efforts was the establishment, in 1994, of the Classic Arts Showcase, a free, non-commercial television channel promoting the fine arts.

Early life and education

Rigler was born in Lehr, North Dakota,[4] to Frank and Jeannette Rigler,[5] who ran a general store serving the farming community in the town of Wishek, North Dakota where the family lived.[2] He had five siblings.[6]

As a young man, he moved to live with relatives in Chicago, Illinois, and worked to save money to attend the University of Illinois, from which he graduated in 1939.[2]

Career

After graduating from college, Rigler moved to New York City and got a job in sales. During the 1940 World's Fair, he sold RC TVs. In 1942 during World War II, Rigler signed up for the U.S. Navy,[6] but due to the fact that he couldn't see well with his left eye, spent the war in San Pedro, California instead of overseas.[7]

Lawrence E. Deutsch and Rigler met when Rigler worked in the food business and leased space from Deutsch. They went into business together in the mid-1940s.[6]

In 1948, he and Deutsch, who died 1977,[8] bought the Adolph's recipe and name from Adolph Rempp, a chef and restaurant owner in Santa Barbara, California. Later Adolph's became owned by Unilever.[2][9]

After the sale of their company, Deutsch and Rigler formed the Ledler Corporation, a venture capital firm.[7]

Philanthropy

When Rigler's partner, Deutsch, died in 1977, Rigler formed the philanthropic foundation called Lloyd E. Rigler-Lawrence E. Deutsch Foundation.

In May 1994, Rigler founded Classic Arts Showcase,[7] which was based on the idea that for people who didn't have the money to see art and culture live, this television channel would provide a 24/7 experience for free. Prior to his death, he had funded the program to operate through at least 2022.[2][6] The signal of Classic Arts Showcase is not scrambled, so there is no authentication / access restriction. There are also no commercials.[7]

In 1999, Rigler founded American Association of Single People, which was focused on political rights for single people.[6]

Other philanthropic efforts:[6]

Death

Rigler died at his home in Los Angeles, California.[2] The cause was cancer.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Lloyd E Rigler – United States Social Security Death Index". FamilySearch. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Saxon, Wolfgang (13 December 2003). "Lloyd E. Rigler, 88, Industrialist and Backer Of a Variety of Arts Groups Across the U.S." The New York Times. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  3. ^ Variety Staff (1 January 2004). "Lloyd E. Rigler". Variety. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  4. ^ "Loyd Rigler – North Dakota Census, 1925". FamilySearch. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  5. ^ "North Dakota Census, 1925, McIntosh". FamilySearch. State Historical Society of North Dakota. p. 157. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Rourke, Mary (12 December 2003). "Obituaries Lloyd E. Rigler, 88; He Made Fortune on Meat Tenderizer". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  7. ^ a b c d Isenberg, Barbara (16 July 1995). "PERFORMING ARTS : A Satellite to Save the Arts : Lloyd Rigler decided to use his fortune to spread culture all over the hemisphere, 24 hours a day, for free. But can 'Madama Butterfly' and Astaire really compete with R.E.M. and Madonna?". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  8. ^ "Lawrence E Deutsch – California Death Index". FamilySearch. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  9. ^ "Lloyd E. Rigler's Vision". Classic Arts Showcase. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
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