People

Staff -- JCK Online, 5/1/1997 2:00:00 AM

RICHARD EISEMAN, NOTED JEWELER, DIES

Richard D. Eiseman of Richard D. Eiseman Jewels in Dallas, Tex., died in December after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He worked in the jewelry industry for more than 50 years, beginning with Reliable Stores in the 1940s and then opening the first of his leased departments in the 1960s in Titche-Goetinger, a division of Allied Stores in Dallas. The salon operation expanded in the 1980s in Frost Bros. Stores. He opened a freestanding salon in NorthPark Center in Dallas in 1990, becoming known for quick discovery of designs and for keeping abreast of fashion interests in the Texas area.

In a letter to Eiseman’s wife, Louise, Baume & Mercier Chairman Benjamin Kaiser wrote, “Richard launched a new era in the jewelry and watch business after his founding Richard Eiseman Jewels. While actively pursuing his dream, he added his innovative concepts and attention to style which gave the jewelry business a new plateau ... and set him apart as an industry leader and trendsetter.”

Eiseman received the President’s Award from the American Parkinson’s Disease Association in 1992 for his efforts toward finding a cure for the disease. Richard D. Eiseman Jewels will continue to operate with Gerald Goldwyn as president.

OTHER OBITUARIES

Robert Lester Garrett, 75, of Dickson, Tenn., died recently. He was a retired jeweler and watchmaker.

The owner of Sparkman Jewelry in Columbia, Tenn, Richard Hanes Sparkman Sr., 80, died on Feb. 16.

Appointments

The Home Shopping Network, St. Petersburg, Fla., appointed Greg Ericson to the new position of vice president of application development.

Ken Gikas was named executive vice president of Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, in Baton Rouge, La. Gikas will oversee operations of the company’s seven stores in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, as well as the corporate gifts division with offices in Dallas, Texas and Baton Rouge.

Jewelers Mutual Insurance Co., Neenah, Wis., named Wayne Cwik director of regulatory and government affairs. Cwik will direct specific areas of product development, including state filings for insurance rates and product- pricing strategies. Cwik comes to JMI with 28 years of insurance experience.

Brian McCluskey joined International Jewelers Block & Fine Arts Insurance Services Inc., Newport Beach, Cal., in its new location in Cincinnati, Ohio. This is the fourth location for IJB Insurance.

Sterling Inc., Akron, Ohio, promoted Bruce Kenny to senior vice president of operations administration. Kenny has more than 23 years of jewelry management experience with Sterling Inc.

Stephanie Vaughan joined M.B. Mumma of Reading, Pa., as Midwest sales representative. Vaughan is responsible for sales and customer service and also will develop advertising programs.

Nili Jewelry Corp. of New York City appointed Sandra Walker territory manager. Walker brings more than 20 years of sales experience to Nili.

Miller Freeman Asia Ltd., Hong Kong, promoted Letitia Chow Mei Lai to senior manager of the jewelry group. One of the founders of Jewellery News Asia magazine, Lai joined Miller Freeman Asia when it acquired the publication in 1994. Jennifer Henricus was promoted to publisher and editor. Henricus has written for JNA since its launch in 1983.

Shreve, Crump & Low of Boston, Mass., named Michael H. Lebowitz fine jewelry merchandise manager. Lebowitz will oversee jewelry and watch buying, manage the diamond department and develop the antique and estate jewelry department. He was formerly with Gordon Brothers Corp., where he appraised and bought jewelry inventories nationally and internation-ally. Before that he was chief executive officer of Lebowitz and Co., a third-generation jewelry store.