It is with great sadness that the extended family of James Eisenberg announces his passing. Jim was born on April 17, 1930 and, following a brief illness, died on April 7, 2023.
Jim had many acquaintances and a handful of close friends. If you were lucky enough to be in this later group, Jim would do anything for you. His elegant parents, Sam and Celia, raised Jim in Winnetka, Illinois where he attended New Trier High School and matriculated to Carleton College from which he graduated in 1948. He then married, started a family and moved to Highland Park, Illinois.
After a few years of driving around the middle third of America selling dresses and jewelry for his father’s business, Eisenberg Originals, Inc., Jim joined the Vienna Sausage Company in 1955 and stayed there for the rest of his life. Under his leadership, Vienna grew from a local branded specialty meat company to the multifaceted international food company which it is today. He never quit working, logging almost seventy years with this iconic Chicago based food company.
Jim also held many advisory positions. He was the non- executive chairman of XDX Refrigeration, Director of the Foundation for Culinary Arts, The Central National Bank, FIJ, and the American Meat Institute.
One of his greatest joys was introducing Vienna products to the Orient, specifically Japan and China. Jim traveled to these places extensively and forged friendships which lasted his entire life.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Elin and his sister June. He is survived by his brother, Karl, his son Jamie, his daughter-in-law Jackie, her two children, Erik and Jessica Lambert, his grandson Sam and his wonderful soulmate, Jane Woldenberg. Jim loved his family dearly.
Jim had highly defined tastes in art, food, cigars, golf clubs and clothing. The brightness of his clothing was eclipsed only by his smile. He would tell you the truth, no matter what. If you needed something, he would give it to you. He was totally loved by hundreds of Vienna’s employees, suppliers and customers.
The world is better place because of Jim.
https://legacy.suntimes.com/us/obituaries/chicagosuntimes/name/james-eisenberg-obituary?id=51659176
