H.J. “Jerry” Zoffer

ZOFFER: H.J. “Jerry” Zoffer, Ph.D., the dean of the University of Pittsburgh’s Katz School of Business for 28 years from 1968 to 1996 and a member of the faculty for 67 years until his retirement in 2020, died peacefully on July 22, 2023, surrounded by family. It was a day short of his 93rd birthday. During Dr. Zoffer’s long tenure as dean, the Katz School surged in its offerings and its renown, taking its place among the highest ranked business schools in the country; re-establishing an undergraduate business college; inaugurating a dedicated building on the former site of Forbes Field; entering into innovative partnerships in the 1980s and 1990s with the International Management Center in Budapest and the Czech Management Center in Prague; and establishing several new dual-degree programs with other faculties at Pitt. In 2016, Pitt’s business school established the H.J. Zoffer Chair of Leadership and Ethics to honor his long and distinguished years of service in teaching, administration, and research and writing. Dr. Zoffer’s career in academia and business was marked by numerous leadership positions and accolades. In 1986 he was selected as Man of the Year in Education by Vectors-Pittsburgh. He was president both of the American Association of University Administrations (AAUA) and of the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business, after serving in a variety of board and committee leadership positions in both organizations. He also served on the board of directors of Oliver Realty, Penn Traffic Company, Eckstein Company, Pennwood Savings Bank, Red Bull Inns of America, various Emerald Funds (Growth, Bank and Finance, and Technology), and The Enterprise Corporation. Dr. Zoffer was the author of a number of articles and books on subjects as diverse as individual and group decision-making under risk, the social responsibility of business, continuing education for managers, business ethics, corporate risk analysis, accounting education, and improving institutional credibility. His articles have been published in such journals as Management Review, Academy of Management Review, Management Accounting, the Journal of General Management, and Corporate Governance. Dr. Zoffer gave generously of his time and talents as well to the broader community, serving as a board member to various civic organizations, including his religious congregation Temple Sinai of Pittsburgh (where he is a past president), the Three Rivers Arts Festival, the Travelers Aid Society of Pittsburgh, the Epilepsy Foundation of America (Allegheny chapter), the David Berg Foundation and the University Club of Pittsburgh (where he is a past president). Those who know Dr. Zoffer personally and professionally will recognize him as having immense joie de vivre and being tireless in his pursuit of professional excellence, faithful service to the community, and the well-being and enjoyment of his family and friends. He was an avid collector of art and a devoted patron of the performing arts, including the Pittsburgh symphony, ballet and opera, and theater in New York. He is survived by his children Gayle (David MacNaughton) of Minneapolis and Bill (Caryn Zimmerman) of Chapel Hill; his brother Joseph of Pittsburgh; his beloved grandchildren Josh, Emily and Mollie; his longtime partner Sorel Berman; and many dearly loved nieces, nephews and cousins in different generations. His wife, Maye Rattner Zoffer, pre-deceased him. Funeral services will be Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at 10 a.m. at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., 5509 Centre Avenue, Shadyside. Visitation one hour prior to services (9–10 a.m.). Interment New Light Cemetery in Shaler Township (750 Soose Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15209). Call the funeral home at 412.621.8282 for access to the Zoom link for virtual services. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the University of Pittsburgh General Scholarship Fund or to Temple Sinai of Pittsburgh (templesinaipgh.org/donation). schugar.com PJC