The GP Strategies family is mourning the loss of founder, Dr. Robert W. Deutsch, who passed away on March 19th, 2019.
Robert W. Deutsch was born in New York City in 1924. Robert earned a degree in physics from M.I.T in 1948 and completed his doctoral degree in physics in 1953 at UC Berkeley. He married his wife, Florence, in 1949 and the couple settled in Baltimore in 1964. In 1968, Dr. Deutsch launched his career as an entrepreneur by founding General Physics Corporation (now GP Strategies Corporation). While most consultants would talk to the CEO, Deutsch’s approach was to roll up his sleeves, talk to those on ground level, and get suggestions from them on how to improve the company.
In 1988, Dr. Deutsch left General Physics and founded RWD Technologies, a company focused on the IT revolution that was transforming the way companies manufactured products, managed their business operations, and communicated with their suppliers and customers. However, throughout his career, Dr. Deutsch remained true to his commitment to invest in the education, training, and development of people, and to promote innovative thinking and solutions for complex problems in the workplace. In 1991, he formed the Deutsch Foundation.
The foundation was small for its first 15 years, but grew tenfold following GP Strategies Corporation’s acquisition of RWD Technologies in 2011. The Foundation looked at what it could contribute significantly to the vitality and revitalization of Baltimore—assets in which others were not investing. It became clear that investing in the emerging innovation, arts, and creative economy in Baltimore would have the greatest impact. Today, their vision and values continue to be at the heart of the foundation.
With an inspirational list of accomplishments, his family was the center of his focus and the secret to Deutsch’s success can be summed up by what was written on the back of his business card, which read, “Work should be an enjoyable part of a well-rounded life.”
Our condolences go out to his family and those who knew him. His legacy will continue through the many individuals and organizations he had a profound impact on.
For more information on the Robert W Deutsch Foundation, visit: https://www.rwdfoundation.org/
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