Saul Leonard Katz

Saul Leonard Katz of Mill Valley, California, formerly of Lincoln, Massachusetts, passed away
on July 16th, at the age of 95 of natural causes.

Born to Samuel Katz and Janette Forman, on May 23rd, 1917, in Brookline, Massachusetts, Saul grew up with his two brothers, Irwin and Burt Katz. After finishing The Boston Latin School, Saul went on to attend the Wharton School of Business,
University of Pennsylvania. At the onset of the U.S. involvement in World War II, Saul enrolled in the U.S Navy Officer Candidate School; upon completion he was assigned to the radiation laboratories at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he worked throughout the war. During this time, he and his lovely bride, Dorothy Golden of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, who was his beloved wife for 67 years until her death in 2009, gave birth to their first son, Peter. Soon
followed two more sons, Bruce and Roger. Saul and Dorothy's deepest life sorrow was the loss of Peter, at age three, to cancer. At the end of the war, Saul joined his father's business, the Hubbard Shoe Company, where hewent on to become president of the company. The Hubbard Shoe Company, based in Rochester, New Hampshire began with one factory but grew to include a second factory in East Rochester, and a third in Marlborough, Massachusetts, which were overseen by his two brothers. Ultimately the business was acquired by Saul, who successfully led it until the decline of the US shoe industry in the late 60's and early 70's, which was precipitated by US government policy changes regarding tariffs and quotas on foreign made shoes. These policies led to the US market being flooded with less expensive inventory, resulting in American shoe factory after shoe factory being closed, including Hubbard Shoe Company.

At age 57, his factories closed, Saul had to reinvent himself and his business. Out of the ashes of Hubbard Shoe Company, he birthed the Rockport Shoe Company, using imported materials to make his new concept of "comfort shoes." Once destroyed by imports, he now used them to succeed once again. Soon his son, Bruce, joined in this venture and the two grew the company into an internationally successful and sought after shoe brand, which was eventually sold to Reebok in 1987. Saul remained as a consultant to Reebok until his retirement in 1990, at age 73, when Saul and Dorothy began their split residency between Lincoln, Massachusetts, and San Francisco, California. Saul moved to Mill Valley, California to be near his son Bruce's family after Dorothy's death.

One of Saul's passions was his work with the Two Ten Footwear Foundation, the shoe industry's philanthropic organization that provides scholarships and financial support to the children and families in the shoe industry community. He served as its president for several years and continued to serve as mentor to scholarship recipients long into his retirement. Saul was a mentor to many. His generous trait of sharing his intellect and seasoned wisdom, paired with his thoughtful listening style, led many to feel encouraged and supported by his genuine interest in them. He will be missed by many.

Saul loved to travel, sail, golf, nights at the symphony or the ballet; he read voraciously, always learning something new. As a great conversationalist, he enjoyed time with others whether old friends, or new, and was always ready for the next engagement or adventure. He lived life fully and undauntedly. Saul is survived by his two remaining sons, Bruce and Roger, his brother, Burt,and his three grandchildren, Connor, Abigail and Julie Katz.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 27th at 11:00 AM, at the Mishkan Tefila Cemetery in West Roxbury, Massachusetts. Donations may be made to the Two Ten Footwear Foundation,1466 Main Street, Waltham, MA 02451