Barmash, Isadore 1921-2006

OBITUARY NOTICE—

See index for CA sketch: Born November 16, 1921, in Philadelphia, PA; died of complications from bladder cancer, November 9, 2006, in New York, NY. Journalist and author. Barmash was a respected business reporter who was on the New York Times staff for over a quarter of a century. Earning a diploma in journalism from the Charles Morris Price School in 1941, he enlisted in the U.S. Army the next year. Barmash fought in the South Pacific and rose to the rank of staff sergeant. Hired by Fairchild Publications in New York City after World War II, he occupied such positions as copy chief, bureau chief, managing editor, and editor in chief. Among his posts was managing editor of Women's Wear Daily from 1955 to 1963. In 1965, he joined the New York Times, and would remain there until his 1991 retirement. Barmash was a leading business reporter, covering stories of the cut-throat business world, including behind-the-scene bargaining, mergers, bankruptcies, and racist employment practices. His investigative writings thus revealed the seamier side of corporate America, especially regarding mercantile industries. Among his publications are Welcome to Our Conglomerate: You're Fired (1971), The Chief Executives (1978), Macy's for Sale (1989), and A Not-So-Tender Offer: An Insider's Look at Mergers and Their Consequences (1995). After his retirement, Barmash continued to publish and contribute freelance articles for several years.

OBITUARIES AND OTHER SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

New York Times, November 13, 2006, p. A23; November 16, 2006, p. A2.