Deceased Information

  • DECEASED

    Irwin Lowenstein

  • AGE

    87

  • DATE OF DEATH

    Tuesday, February 07, 2023 (Before Sunset)

  • DATE OF FUNERAL

    Thursday, February 09, 2023

  • TIME OF FUNERAL

    2:30 PM

  • PLACE OF FUNERAL

     

  • PLACE OF BURIAL

    PRIVATE

  • DONATIONS

  • OBITUARY

    Irwin Lang Lowenstein, 87, died February 7, 2023 at his home in Atlanta, Georgia after a heroic battle with cancer.

    He was born on August 17, 1935 in Louisville, KY. Son of Stanley and Fanny Lowenstein. He was married 65 years to Joel Dampf Lowenstein. From 1988 until 1997, Irwin Lowenstein was Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Atlanta based Rhodes, Inc., and has been affiliated with the Rhodes organization since 1972. At that time, Irwin was appointed President of the then Houston based Crossroads Furniture chain, a showroom / warehouse division of Rhodes, Inc. in 1977. When Crossroads consolidated their interests with Rhodes, he was elected President and COO. Rhodes, Inc. was a leading specialty furniture retailer in the southeastern United States, during his tenure he helped build Rhodes throughout the southeast taking them public on the New York Stock exchange and continued to grow them through multiple public and private acquisitions.

    He held numerous board positions over his life including, L.A.T Sportswear, Atlantic American Corporation, Goody’s Family Clothing, Schnadig Corporation, and The Powell Company.
    He was also proud to be a leader outside of his professional life in areas where he was passionate. One of his proudest roles was when he served as President of the “The Temple” (Hebrew Benevolent Congregation) where he also established The Lowenstein Youth Scholarship fund to help all children participate in Jewish programming without funding getting in the way. He also served as President and Director of the Standard Club of Atlanta; President and Director of the American Furniture Hall of Fame; member of the Advisory Council of Emory University Business School; member of the Board of Directors of the Jewish Home; Director of the Jewish Vocational Service; and Jewish Children Services of Atlanta. He was also a member of the Young Presidents Organization; member of the Board of Directors of the American Jewish Committee, Director of the National Home Furnishings Association; and Past Director of the Future Leadership Award for DuPont.

    In June 1982, Lowenstein received the “Distinguished Community Service Award” from Brandeis University. In October 1983 he was the recipient of the “Human Relations Award” by the American Jewish Committee. In March 1985, he received the “Brotherhood Award” from the National Conference of Christians and Jews. In February 1991 he was the recipient of the “The Torch of Liberty Award” from the Anti-defamation League, and in November 1995 he received the “Spirit of Life Award” from the City of Hope and the National Home Furnishings Industry.

    Survived by his wife, Joel Dampf Lowenstein, his sister, Regine Aberson (Les) his 5 children, Joanne Birnbrey (Eddie), Suzanne Reiman (Richard), Ruth Shor (Alan), Ellen Italiaander (James Weisberg), Stanley Lowenstein (Jennifer). 18 Grandchildren, 9 Great Grandchildren.

    Irwin had numerous pleasures including Golf, Bridge, Horse Racing, Art, Vanderbilt Sports, Scotch and a great steak. But none of them compared to his love for his family and Grammy.

    A Memorial Service, followed by a Celebration of Life, will be held at 2:30 PM at The Temple, 1589 Peachtree Rd. NW Atlanta, Ga 30309.

    In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to The Lowenstein Youth Scholarship Fund at The Temple.

     

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Irwin Lowenstein

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  • Barbara Friedland Gold

    Dear Joel and Family, I was so sorry to hear about the loss of Irwin and am sending my deepest sympathy. Thinking of you at this very sad time.


  • Phyllis and Lew Kravitz

    Joel - - We send our heartfelt condolences.


  • Phyllis and Roy adilman

    Joel, Roy and I were so sorry to hear about your dear Husband. We send our heartfelt sympathy on your loss and that of your family.


  • Mark & Chris Rivkin

    Joanne & Eddie, so sorry to hear of your father's passing. We regret we never knew this great man and he will certainly be missed by all who knew him. Please know your old friends are thinking of you and your family during this very difficult time.


  • Phyllis M. Cohen

    Joanne, Eddie and all the Lowensteins ... I send my heartfelt sympathy on your loss of this strong and loving patriarch in your family. May his memory continue to comfort and guide you.


  • David Kaplan

    I will miss this long hitting Giant of a man who in our golfing days in the early 2000's at Longboat Key (when we were in our mid 60's and could still hit the golf ball) playing with Bush and our Israeli buddy,... Irwin would NEVER give me a 1 foot putt... because he knew I might miss it especially if it was for $5.00 and, of course he was right as I probably missed as many as I made. He was a gentle giant and I loved him dearly - afternoons at the racetrack after golf in the morning,,..Good scotch before dinner and a great steak completed a perfect day while dear Joel and Nancy made fun of us. It was almost 20 years until age and illness reared it's ugly head, but it was wonderful while it lasted, Suzanne & Richie moved to Longboat making Joel and Irwin even happier. My heartfelt condolences go out to the Lowenstein Family and my thoughts and prayers are with you all. I always felt that I had a special relationship with Irwin our birthday were 5 weeks apart, we were both at Camps in Maine and played sports against each other - we had a lot in common - both in the furniture industry and both married Southern belles...I love him and will miss him forever. David


  • Janet L Sugarman

    Joanne, I've thought of little else than your and your dad's picture on face book since I heard of his death. I know how much you loved him. To you and your family, my deepest condolences.


  • Holly H. Strelzik

    Joel and family, Sending heartfelt condolences and love to all of you. Holly & Steven Strelzik


  • Paula Wynne

    I am so sorry to hear about Irwin. He was such a wonderful person and I have so many fond memories over the many years. Sending much love and my deepest condolences during this difficult time. May his memory always be a blessing! xoxo Paula Wynne


  • Jack Arogeti

    Dear Joanne and all of the Lowenstein family... I first met your Dad when I worked at McCann-Erickson and we were fortunate to win the Rhodes Furniture account. There was no mistaking that your Dad ran that business and was the driving force behind its success. The advertising campaign, (lowering prices) "Because Irwin said so" included him as CEO. Your Dad was very kind and even with his demanding retail business, Joanne, showed a generous and gracious side both inside and outside the office. I was lucky to met him. My condolences to all your family on the passing of a true giant of a man and giant of a family man. God bless everyone he loved so much.


  • Connie Kirk Jacobs

    Ellen. I was so sorry to hear about your dad. He was such a good man, and he spent his whole like helping others. What a wonderful like he had. May g-d inscribe in the book of like, and may his


  • Barbara Krinsky

    To the Lowenstein family May his memory be a blessing for the family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all


  • Charles Sheron

    Joel and Lowenstein Family, my thoughts, prayers and love are with you.


  • Sandra Bass

    Sending the whole Lowenstein family a humongous hug.


  • Dan Kingloff

    Dear Joel, Joanne and family: I'm so sorry for your loss of Irwin. I always knew it was going to be a fun day in my office when he came to see me. May his memory be a blessing.


  • Karen Phillips

    I am so sorry to hear of Irwin’s passing. He was a great friend to both my husband for many years as well as to me. My sincere condolences to his entire family, of which he was so proud.


  • Betty & Alan Sunshine

    Joanne & Eddie, I am so sorry for your loss. May your dear father's memory be a blessing


  • Miriam Strickman Levitas

    My Heartfelt Condolences to the Lowenstein Family. May Irwin’s Memory Be For A Blessing%


  • Esther and David Gordon

    Dear Eddie and Joanne,Stan and Jennifer, Suzanne and Richie and Lowenstein family We are so sorry about your father's and father in law’s passing. Please accept our deepest condolences. You're in our thoughts and prayers.". Long and healthy lives to each one of you.


  • Esther and David Gordon

    Dear Eddie and Joanne,Stan and Jennifer, Suzanne and Richie and Lowenstein We are so sorry about your father's and father in law’s passing. Please accept our deepest condolences. You're in our thoughts and prayers.". Long and healthy lives to each one of you.


  • Marcie Koffler

    JoAnne and family, I am so sorry for your loss. I saw that wonderful picture of you and your dad today. Very nice. May his memory always be for a blessing.


  • Elaine Gruenhut

    Joanne and Family, Please accept my sincere condolences for your loss.


  • Martha Jo Katz

    Sending love and deepest sympathy to all. Irwin was a leader, a gentleman and a wonderful family man. I always saw how his children adored him which was heart warming. May memories in the heart bring comfort to the soul. With love, Martha Jo


  • Joyce Shlesinger

    My Heartfelt Sympathy to the Lowenstein Family. Irwin was a one of a kind! He adored his wife Joel and was an amazing father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend! He will be remembered with so many happy memories!


  • Bette Selfridge

    I am so very sorry to hear about Irwin. Even though I have not seen you in years, I have very, very fond thoughts of you and Irwin. My sincere condolences. Bette (Rosenbloum) Selfridge


  • Janet and jack baum

    Sending lotsa love to your beautiful family at this sad time. xox Janet and jack baum


  • Michael J. Cohen

    I’m so sorry for your loss


  • Merrill Wynne

    Dear Joel & Family. Sheila and I are so sad to hear of the loss of our very dear friend, Irwin. We have so many wonderful memories with you and Irwin in Atlanta and Longboat Key that are so special to us. Irwin will be greatly missed by us & all that new and loved Irwin. Our prayers and our thoughts are with you all during this most difficult time. All our love, Sheila & Merrill


  • Jerry and Linda Marks Shapiro

    We are so sorry to hear. Sending our love to all the family. We always enjoyed seeing Irwin in Long Boat Key. May his Memory be a blessing.


  • Jay Tenenbaum

    Oh how very sad. He'll be missed. I learned more from Irwin than any other boss I ever had. My heart goes out to all of you!


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