Arne Osterby

Arne E. Osterby died on December 31, 2020 at his home in Cornwall, NY. Mr. Osterby was born on July 17, 1925 in Halmstad Sweden, the son of John Wilhelm and Alma Osterby. He obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Stockholm, studied Interior Design at New York University and was a member of the American Society of Interior Designers. Arne came to the United States in 1948 and managed the exclusive Madison Avenue Swedish furniture and art store owned by the Bonnier Family. He used his design skills to create an environment envied by Tiffany's and Bloomingdale's which set a trend that earned him several awards and citations. His adept public relations' skills resulted in friendships with individuals such as Frank Lloyd Wright, Ingrid Bergman, Greta Garbo, Charles Laughton and New York City Mayor John Lindsay. His friendships included artists and designers Isamu Noguchi, Victor Vasarely, Salvador Dali, Bjorn Wiinblad, Carol Summers and Bruno Mathsson, among others. When sculptor Isamu Noguchi came to the United States, they worked as a team to produce Noguchi's ‘Akari'lamps and developed a lasting friendship. Arne founded Rosenthal's Hotel & Restaurant Division and cultivated the company into a multimillion dollar business. He served as Vice Chairman of the International Hotel/Motel Restaurant Show Exhibitor Advisory Committee and also served a three year term on Chicago's NRA Exhibitor Advisory Board. He was a member of Distinguished Restaurants of North America's (DirRoNa), Hall of Fame and is listed in "Who's Who" in the East. In 1995, Mr. Osterby joined Gene Williamson, a former Managing Director of Rosenthal, and formed Osterby & Williamson, representatives and consultants to the foodservice industry. Mr. Osterby is predeceased by his first wife, Maria, and brother Rune. He is survived by his wife of 17 years, Eileen V. Osterby. Survivors include his stepdaughter, Jennifer Harvey, husband Shawn, and grandson, Ethan of Camp Wood, Texas, as well as many cousins residing in Sweden. Arne will be missed by so many in the community who he touched through the years. A Celebration of Mr. Osterby's life will be held this coming summer with the date to be determined due to the Co-Vid Pandemic. Donations may be made to Hospice of Orange & Sullivan & Sullivan Counties, Inc. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Thomas & Brendan Flynn and the staff of Flynn Funeral & Cremation Memorial Centers, Inc.