Art Display Founder Gunther Kilsheimer Passes Away

Gunther Kilsheimer, founder of Capitol Heights, MD-based Art Display Co., passed away August 8 at age 86 at his home in Fort Lauderdale, FL, after suffering a heart attack. Born in Pforzheim, Germany, in 1922, he escaped the Nazi regime thanks for the Jewish Agency, which arranged safe passage to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. There, he became signpainting apprentice and letter worked for an outdoor-advertising company, where he became a foreman. In 1947, he immigrated to the U.S. with his first wife, Sonia, and their baby girl, Daisy.

According to Arthur Goldberg, Art Display’s current executive vice president, he “dreamed of making signs like those he saw in Times Square photos.” He founded the company in 1947 in Washington, D.C., and one of his earliest jobs entailed creating seals for the 1948 United Nations member countries for President Truman’s inauguration.

With the influx of thousands of GI’s to the area in the post-war era, the residential, commercial and retail development expanded exponentially and Gunther’s talent, business acumen and “winning” personality won him many clients. Many of these clients from the late 1940’s and early1950’s still remain – testimony not only to Gunther’s skills and personality, but the legacy of excellence he developed into the Art Display Company ethos. The list of developers, entrepreneurs, architects, and professionals who were clients and then friends reads like a “Who’s Who” of Washington.

He ran the company until 1994, when he retired and turned over the reins to his son, Doug. Today, Art Display company operates a 50,000-sq.-ft facility with more than 100 employees.

Mr. Kilsheimer is survived by his wife, Martyna; his son, Doug; daughter-in-law, Monica; and grandchildren, Brandon and Casey. Those wishing to pay condolences way visit this Legacy.com address: http://www.legacy.com/gb2/default.aspx?bookid=4406767678748