Henry Bachrach

1916 - 2025

Henry Bachrach

October 24, 1916 - June 6, 2025

Henry Bachrach originally from Decatur, Ill., passed away June 6, 2025, in Naples, Fla., at the age of 108.

Edgar Henry Bachrach (Henry) was born October 24, 1916, in Decatur, Ill., to Edgar Henry (Edgar) Bachrach and Gertrude Millhauser Bachrach. He was the older brother of Gloria B. Goldman Rosenstein. Henry was the grandson of Henry Bachrach (Cheap Charley), who founded the Bachrach clothing store in Decatur in 1877.

Henry attended Mary W. French grade school, Roosevelt Junior High School, and Stephen Decatur High School, where he served as class president both junior and senior year. He attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and graduated in December of 1939.

In late 1940, he joined the US Army and soon enrolled in Officers Candidate School. Most of his army career was spent in the 3rd Armored Division as a captain in various tank companies. In 1944, he was assigned to a company operating newly devised amphibious tanks and was transferred to Fort Ord in California and was training for a manned assault on Japan when World War II ended in August of 1945.

While at Fort Ord, Henry was introduced to Elizabeth (Betty) Baer who he quickly married. They returned to Decatur in October of 1945, and he resumed work at the Bachrach men's clothing store.

Over the next 35 years, as the president and CEO of Bachrach Clothing, Henry developed numerous innovative business strategies and capabilities that grew the business into a nationwide retailer of contemporary men's fashions.

In the 1950s, Henry and Betty traveled the world as part of an interest in big game hunting. He hunted in Wyoming, Alaska, Africa (four times), Colombia and Vietnam. The Bachrachs developed a narrated film of their 1956 trip to Africa that they presented to civic groups throughout Central Illinois.

In 1979, Henry retired from the business succeeded by his son, Edgar. His retirement in Florida was filled with travel, fishing and boating, golf and an active social life.

Henry was a charming and vital personality attracting the affection of all he encountered. He loved and was dearly beloved by his family.

He is survived by his son, Edgar of Chicago; daughters, Barbara James (Ronald James) of Glenview, Ill. and Sally Robinson of Boca Raton, Fla. Also survived by eight grandchildren, Jennifer J. Stott, Jarrod James, Jacquie J. Wahlstrom, Christopher Robinson, Rachel Keith, Edgar (Ted) Bachrach, Kristen High, and Laurie Bachrach; along with 19 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife (2014) and sister, Gloria.

Interment will be at the Fairlawn Cemetery in Decatur, Ill. There will be private graveside service for family only. Please no flowers or donations. A public celebration of life is planned for the near future in Decatur.