Former World Federation of Diamond Bourses secretary Gerson Goldschmidt died in Antwerp on Monday, at age 89, the Federation announced.

Goldschmidt served as secretary-general of the WFDB from 1984 to 1986 and from 1990 to 2002. Upon his retirement from the post, he was awarded the title of Honorary Life Secretary.

Born in Lubeck, Germany, in 1921, Mr. Goldschmidt immigrated to Belgium with his family before the outbreak of World War II. He served as president of the Antwerpsche Diamantkring, the city’s rough diamond exchange, from 1999 to 2003, and before that as vice president and treasurer from 1987 to 1999. He was a board member at the bourse from 1978 to 1999.

Among his many decorations, he was named an Officer of the Belgian Crown Order in 2002.

"Gerson Goldschmidt was not only a mentor but also a sincere and loyal colleague," said WFDB secretary general Michael Vaughan ,who succeeded Goldschmidt upon his retirement. "He embodied the image of a dedicated public official in the diamond industry."

JCK