Herbert S. Traub Jr.

Herbert S. Traub, Jr. August 31, 1917 - March 20, 2008 - SAVANNAH - Herbert Smith Traub, Jr., whose cheerful demeanor and generous spirit endeared him to generations of Savannahians and enticed legions of tourists to love his home town, died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday at 90 years of age after a bout with leukemia that lasted only one week. Traub's philosophy approaching old age was, "I'd rather wear out than rust out." His night out on the town just last week at a Mannheim Steamroller concert proved the point. Until the final illness forced him out, Traub slept in the bed where he was born at the house built that same year, 1917. Although deeply rooted in Savannah, he was not root bound. His zany marketing chutzpah enticed a wide American and international public into his flagship business, the Pirates' House Restaurant. His fantasies spoke to the masses and through him their childhood dreams came true: "pirate-sized" portions and "huge, luscious desserts" served up in a rabbit warren of 23 dining rooms complete with thunder and lightening in a "Rain Forest Bar." Traub's sense of style held his exuberance in check and secured the remarkable success of his endeavors. Under Traub's leadership, the Pirates' House was noted as one of America's 50 most successful restaurants. His drive for "better and more" led to illuminated monuments in Savannah's downtown squares, fountains jetting high in the air over Daffin Park, and the glittering restoration of the Lucas Theater, just three of many Traub-sized projects he helped to completion throughout his long life. Public platforms for this leadership included, in earlier years, the Junior Chamber of Commerce, and later the Rotary Club. Savannahians who dealt with this master of grand public gestures in his personal life got the same treatment, just on more intimate terms. Friends knew to expect pots of flowers or boxes of Benne Wafers when the occasion warranted and sometimes when it didn't. He insinuated himself into the lives of his bank tellers, pharmacy clerks, florists, and doctors' nurses with humor and acts of intimate kindness, like post cards or gifts sent back while he was away on vacation. An admiring public returned the respect with dozens of business awards and citations over the decades. With the Ivy Award, his peers in the American hospitality business once elected him America's top restaurateur. Closer to home, the Traub Award, Savannah's premier hospitality award, came to him the first year it was given, after admirers created it to honor Traub and his late wife, Franklin Smith Traub. Herb Traub is survived by his son Herbert S. Traub, III, daughter-in-law Dr. Ulrike Patzl, and grandson Herbert S. Traub, IV, of Vienna, Austria; his son Richard Lilienthal Traub; daughter-in-law Mary Whiting, and granddaughters Sarah and Rebecca Traub of Blue Hill, Maine; daughter Kimberly Kron Traub Ribbens and grandsons Pieter and Lucas Ribbens, of Savannah; his brother Stephen L. Traub and sister-in-law Elizabeth Traub of Savannah, and several cousins, nieces and nephews. Traub had a special fondness for Armstrong College, his alma mater, and he was recently excited that Armstrong Atlantic State University had begun offering courses in historic preservation, hospitality, and other arts relevant to developing and marketing Savannah's assets. To support this program, remembrances may be sent to Armstrong Atlantic State University Foundation, Herbert S. Traub, Jr. Award, 11935 Abercorn Street, Savannah 31419. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Monday at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25, 2008, at Congregation Mickve Israel on Monterey Square. Interment will be private. Please sign our guestbook online at www.foxandweeks.com Savannah Morning News March 25, 2008 Please sign our Obituary Guest Book at savannahnow.com/obituaries .