Bob Abt, CEO Of Abt Electronics, Dies

Bob Abt, CEO of Glenview-based Abt Electronics, died Thursday at the age of 77.

Abt is credited with growing the business his parents, Dave and Jewel Abt, started in 1936 - according to the Chicago Tribune. His work in keeping the business successful through the influx of chain competition made him a “retail legend.”

“Bob had a passion for electronics that is unsurpassed,” said Mike Fasulo, president of Sony Electronics. “He was inspiring in his vision to bring the best and most innovative retail experience our industry has ever seen and had an unrelenting commitment to his customers and partners.”

According to an article posted on Twice.com, Abt was a Consumer Electronics (CE) Hall of Famer and won multiple awards, “including the Better Business Bureau’s Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics and several TWICE Retailer Of The Year Awards.”

“Abt ran one of the largest single-store retailers in the U.S., a pioneer in authorized CE e-tailing, and a proving ground for many CE and majap introductions.”

The 1,200-employee business is now run by his four sons, but Abt stayed highly involved with the megastore up until a month age despite struggling with cancer for the last three years.

Just recently, the business was recognized by Consumer Reports as the best place to buy appliances in the nation.

Services for Abt are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Am Shalom in Glencoe.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Alice.

more via the Chicago Tribune

Abt Electronics photo