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IN MEMORIAM: SALES PRO GERWIN PLATZ SR., AND JEFFREY MILSTEIN, CO-FOUNDER OF WYATT AUSTIN JEWELERS August 10, 2011 (4 comments)

Emmendingen, Germany--Gerwin Platz Sr. (pictured left) passed away August 5 at age 76, following heart failure. He was a sales representative for high-end German jewelry companies for more than 40 years, serving accounts in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean.

Platz was born in Pirmasens, Germany, on September 19, 1934. He first came to the United States as an exchange student at age 16, spending one year on a farm and attending high school in Alma, MO, near Kansas City. It was a turning point in his life, as he fell in love with the country and its friendly people.

It also was a testament to his character, as the criteria to become a German exchange student in the United States so soon after World War II were extremely tough. The United States had very high standards, and the Germans wanted to be sure they were represented in the best possible manner.

Back in Germany, he worked towards returning to the United States. He finished school and post-school studies, and became specialized in export trading. He was recruited by the Frankfurt-based buying offices for Marshall Fields, the renowned Chicago-based department store. Shortly after, he found his dream job, which brought him back to America: he became a sales representative for Henkel & Grosse of Pforzheim, Germany, to promote the newly licensed fashion jewelry line by Christian Dior. He also married his wife, Renate, and they had their first child, Gerwin Jr.

At that time (the early 1960s), sample lines consisted of heavy stackable wooden trays, often weighing more than 300 pounds. They came on wheels and were difficult to move. Platz’s sales trips often lasted three or four months in duration, typically beginning in Rotterdam, then crossing the Atlantic by ship to land in New York, and traversing the United States by Greyhound bus.

It wasn't easy at first. As a young German, he had to work hard to win the trust of people who had horrific memories of World War II. But his love for America and its people persevered, and over time he forged many firm lifelong friendships with jewelers who would go on to become top names in the industry. Platz became known to such fine stores as Tiffany & Co., Mednikow, Tivol, Lux, Bond & Green, all of which successfully dealt in the handcrafted merchandise he sold.

In the 1970’s he earned the nickname “German Cowboy,” which he used as a handle when he communicated on CB radio with truckers as he drove from one city and appointment to the other—usually Autobahn style; i.e. well over the much-lower American speed limit.

He was a true salesman from the old school. In the early 1980s, when the price of gold nearly touched $1000/ounce, he broke one sales record after another. Commission-based at that time, he was considered to be one of the most successful and highest earning jewelry reps ever to be on the road. He loved traveling, he loved to talk and discuss politics with clients and he loved to laugh.

  Platz is survived survived by his wife, Renate, two sons, Gerwin R. Jr., and Oliver, and grandchildren Madeleine, Ellen and Andy.

Younger sales reps would point to him as a model to emulate, and some of his former customers shared thoughts about Platz with The Centurion:

“Your Dad was a special friend to me, and to my own parents when they were living. He was from the “old school” of jewelry representatives who was first a gentlemen, and salesman second. He did so much to help us when we were very small jewelers in downtown Memphis. We always loved to see him, and shared dinner with my parents in our home many times. He was a man of integrity.” —Bob Mednikow, Mednikow, Memphis, TN 

“ [He was] such a big, strong man with a powerful hand-shake and a big warm smile, wheeling in these very heavy metal cases, always showing enthusiasm for this fabulous collection of gold and trusting us to pay him.” —Ivan Gorman, I.Gorman, Washington, DC

“He was one of our very favorite people. He truly had a heart as large as he was.” —Peggy Briggs, Opus The Art Of Fine Jewelry, Scottsdale, AZ

“He is one of our most favorite relationships over the years for my father, brother, my wife and myself.” —John Green, Lux, Bond & Green, Hartford, CT

“ What a great friend I had!” —H. Wilson Glasgow Jr., Elisabeth Bruns, Charlotte, NC

 

Schaumburg, IL--Jeffrey Milstein, co-founder and owner of Wyatt Austin Jewelers,  died August 3 after an 18-month battle with cancer. He was 55. He and his wife, Candice, founded Wyatt Austin Jewelers in 1984. The couple are shown below.

Milstein lived his passion for the jewelry industry daily, demonstrating his love for diamonds, gems and business, and serving as an inspiration for the Wyatt Austin team.  As a culmination of the couple's efforts, the store was recently moved to a new location and continues to grow and thrive.   

Milstein was an active Rotarian, a member of the Schaumburg-Hoffman Estates Rotary Club, where for more than 27 years he spearheaded projects to raise money for a local children’s hospital and low income daycare center, among other worthy causes.

Jeff Milstein with his dog, Tsavi.

Milstein will best be remembered by friends, colleagues and clients for his unwavering ethical standards, his remarkable sense of humor, his commitment to family, business, and community, and a truly uncommon brand of courage. He is survived by Candice, his wife of 32 years, two sons, Max and Wyatt, and one daughter-in-law, Chloe. Candice Milstein will continue the couple's work in custom jewelry design and active community service.