The Canadian channel is in mourning today with the death of Michael S. Schweitzer, founder of The RAM Group and industry pioneer. The wake of his death The RAM Group issued this statement: The RAM Group is deeply saddened to announce that Michael S. Schweitzer, founder and president of the company,
passed away suddenly of a stroke in the early morning on Sunday, May 4, 2003 at the age of 61.
Executive vice-president Bob Hanna said that Michael’s leadership and business acumen were recognized throughout the industry. He led RAM since its inception and met challenges head on with his inspiring management style.
Schweitzer was born on April 26 1942 in the Bronx, New York. He attended the City College of New York and later graduated in 1968 with an MBA from the Harvard Business School. He held several high-level positions with large restaurant companies in the United States before traveling to Canada in the late 1970’s to become the president of the restaurant division of General Foods International where he was responsible for over 700 restaurants. He was also a restaurant critic and wrote a regular column evaluating restaurants across the United States for Nations Restaurant News.
In the early eighties seeing the potential for explosive growth in the area of Information Technology, Schweitzer started RAM Computer Supply with the single mandate to provide the highest level of customer service possible.
RAM exploded onto the national scene in the year 2000 with the acquisition of four companies during an eight-month period. These acquisitions grew the company by almost 200 per cent and preserved over 200 jobs in the process.
Schweitzer will be greatly missed by all his friends, family and employees. Funeral services will be held today at 3:00 p.m. at Benjamin’s Park Memorial, 2401 Steeles Ave WestToronto. Following the services, a reception will be held at the company’s headquarters at 3280 Langstaff Rd, Vaughan, Ont. If desired, donations may be made to the Michael Schweitzer Memorial Fund c/o the Benjamin Foundation, 3429 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON, M6A 2C3, 416-780-0324.
