Earle K. Angstadt Jr., who led Abercrombie & Fitch in the ’60s, died Sunday, Jan. 7, in Vero Beach, FL. The cause of death was not disclosed.
Mr. Angstadt, who was 80, had a career that spanned four decades in both the retail and advertising industries. When he was 22, he was the youngest senior buyer in Macy’s 100-year history. Mr. Angstadt later made his mark at Young & Rubicam, where he was employed from 1952 to 1964 as a marketing executive, and was responsible for such accounts as American Airlines, Remington Shavers, Time Magazine and Tussy Cosmetics.
Mr. Angstadt’s tenure at Young & Rubicam coincided with its run as one of premiere advertising agencies in the country and “he had a great deal to do with that,” said Carl Nichols, a long-time friend of Mr. Angstadt and the retired chairman of another advertising agency, Cunningham and Walsh. Mr. Angstadt “was a very strategic thinker” who believed in building strong brands, Mr. Nichols continued.
Mr. Angstadt later returned to the world of retail, serving as Abercrombie & Fitch president/chairman from 1964 to 1970. In 1987, Mr. Angstadt retired from The McCall Pattern Company after leading the company as its president and CEO for 17 years.
Donations in Mr. Angstadt’s name may be made to the Camp Fire Conservation Fund, The Camp Fire Club of America, 230 Campfire Road, Chappaqua, NY 10514.
A funeral service will be held Jan. 13 at the Noroton Presbyterian Church, Darien, CT.
