Benedict Gimbel Jr.

Benedict Gimbel Jr. (1899 – February 6, 1971) was an American businessman, department store executive, and founder of one of the first radio stations in Philadelphia.

Benedict Gimbel Jr.
Born
Benedict Gimbel Jr.

1899
DiedFebruary 6, 1971 (age 71)
NationalityAmerican
Spouse(s)Ethel S. Nathanson (divorced)
Sally Phipps (divorced)
J. Jessie Kane
ChildrenTed Nathanson
Parent(s)Birdie Loeb Gimbel
Benedict Gimbel Sr.
FamilyAdam Gimbel (grandfather)
Bernard Gimbel (cousin)
Richard Gimbel (cousin)
Michael Nathanson (grandson)

Biography

Benedict Gimbel Jr. was born to a Jewish family in Philadelphia, the son of Birdie (née Loeb) and Benedict Gimbel Sr.[1][2] His grandfather was Adam Gimbel of the Gimbel Brothers retailing family.[2] His father worked as an executive at the family business and killed himself in Hoboken in 1907 despondent after being charged with a serious crime.[3] Gimbel attended public schools in Philadelphia as well as the Thorpe School in Stamford, Connecticut and the boys’ boarding school La Villa in Ouchy, Switzerland.[4] He attended the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania but left during his sophomore year to join the U.S. Army during World War I where he reached the rank of sergeant.[4] He finished his studies when he returned and then went to work for the family business in Philadelphia.[4] In 1921, he resigned as vice president and board member of Gimbels Brothers to serve as the first president and manager of WIP radio, one of the first radio stations in Philadelphia.[4][5][6] The station started broadcasting on March 17, 1922 from its studio above the Gimbels department store in Philadelphia.[5] In 1931, WIP purchased WFAN and consolidated all broadcasting at the WIP studios.[5] In 1932, the station was transferred to the newly formed company, the Pennsylvania Broadcasting Company, as it was fully profitable on its own,[5] In 1958, Gimbel put together an investor group (including Bob Hope) and purchased WIP from Gimbels for $2,500,000.[4] In 1960, John W. Kluge's Metromedia bought WIP for $4.500,000; Gimbel remained as a vice president.[6]

Personal life

Gimbel was married thrice. His first marriage was to Ethel S. (née Nathanson) with whom he had a son, Edward "Ted" Nathanson (his son took his mother's maiden name after his parents divorced).[7][8] In 1931, he married actress Sally Phipps; they divorced in 1935.[9] His third wife was J. Jessie Kane.[8] Gimbel died on February 6, 1971.[7]

References
  1. "Benedict Gimbel & Birdie Loeb Wedding". The Times (Philadelphia). June 22, 1897.
  2. Harris, Leon. Merchant Prince: An Intimate History of Jewish Families Who Built Great Department Stores. pp. 69–90.
  3. "Benedict Gimbel Dies at Hoboken, Self Inflicted Wounds Prove Fatal". Los Angeles Herald, Volume 34, Number 204. 23 April 1907.
  4. "Benedict Gimbel, Jr". Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia. 1959. Retrieved 2020-06-20.
  5. "History of Philadelphia radio station 610 WTEL (Beasley Broadcast Group)". Philadelphia Radio Archives.
  6. "Benedict Gimbel Jr., 71, Dies; Had Owned Radio Station WIP". The New York Times. February 6, 1971.
  7. Sandomir, Richard (June 7, 1997). "Ted Nathanson, 72, Director Of NBC Sports and News Shows". New York Times.
  8. "Edward Nathanson". Variety. June 12, 1997.
  9. Diliberto, Gioia (February 24, 2008). "The Flapper Doesn't Change Her Spots". New York Times.
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