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Association Highlights Memories of Sam would like to share with you a story about a baby born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on January 8, 1892. His name was Isadore Samuel Anoff and he founded FEDA in 1933. I had the privilege of sharing a good deal of personal time with Sam right up until he was in his late 90s. In fact, in his upper 90s, he would routinely come to FEDA's Chicago office once or twice a week to catch up on his correspondence. My funniest memory of Sam is when he stumbled into my office while I was on the phone and faked a heart attack. I dropped the phone and ran to him, only to get a big smile and chuckle out of him. Sam Anoff's devotion to this industry never waned, and at age 96 he could often be found in his office at FEDA's national headquarters corresponding with old friends and keeping abreast of the latest industry trends. He also kept in very close contact with the Jewish Orphan Asylum (now known as Bellefaire) and served on the board of directors. Throughout his many years in this industry, he received awards of recognition and appreciation from numerous organizations, including the National Restaurant Association's Certificate of Appreciation, the Michael J. Carpenter Award for years of service to the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau, the Off-the-Street-Club's Award for 25 years of service, NAFEM's Award of Appreciation, the Jewish Orphan Asylum's Award for more than 50 years of service, and many more. At the age of 91, after having been widowed for many years, Sam married Mary Beth Lawrence, who he had known for 50 years. Mary had served as the executive director of the Children's Jewish Bureau in Chicago. Despite his much-deserved recognition, Sam never forgot those early years. "All that I am I Ray Herrick Executive Vice President ray@feda.com 8 FEDA News & Views today, I owe to the the Cleveland Jewish Orphan Asylum," he stated emphatically. "They shaped the values and beliefs that have been the foundation of my life." On April 2, 1995, Sam Anoff died at the age of 103. It was my privilege to serve as a pallbearer. There is no doubt in my mind that he is the unquestionable "dean" of the industry. For this reason,FEDA's Lifetime Achievement Award is named in his memory.We continue to benefit from all he gave to our industry and FEDA. Sam we love you and still miss you. K If you are involved in the foodservice equipment industry, the ripples of Sam Anoff's remarkable life have touched you. What he started in 1933 continues to this day. We are an association of foodservice equipment dealers who have voluntarily come together to have a united voice in the industry and to learn how to profitably grow our businesses…and hopefully, like Sam, leave it a better place. See page 18 for more on Sam's life in the industry as well as the founding of FSEI, later renamed FEDA.