In Memoriam: Robert A. Cantor, Chairman of Insinger

Insinger Machine Co. is announcing the passing of its chairman, Robert A. Cantor, who was at the helm for nearly four decades. He was a fourth-generation executive leader.

“[He] will be remembered for his smile, his generosity, his commitment, his foresight, his salesmanship, his dapper appearance, his engagement, his wit, his charming demeanor, his creativity, his passion, his energy, his warmth, his formality and his love of the foodservice equipment industry—and its deep professional network,” says the company announcement.

Cantor held his first role at Insinger when he was 16, working a summer job in the machine shop. He operated lathes and mills, and machined castings for pump motors and various components. He eventually worked his way through departments including assembly, painting, testing and technical support.

He was a graduate of the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University, where he studied accounting, management and hospitality.

Cantor enrolled in the Reserve Officer Training Corps for the U.S. Army, and, upon graduation from Cornell, was commissioned as a military officer and received orders to serve at Fort Huachuca in southeastern Arizona. He and his wife, Joyce, moved to Sierra Vista, lived in a trailer, and learned to love the intense heat and Apache flats. Cantor managed the Officer’s Club and foodservice operations on base for a demanding two-star General. He would volunteer on holidays so his staff could enjoy time off with their families—a habit he continued into his professional life, and rarely mentioned.

After completing his military service, the Cantors returned to Philadelphia. He enrolled in Temple University and received his MBA in business management. He then spent five years with Hyatt Hotels Int’l, working in Chicago as its VP of business development and traveling around the globe.

In 1978, Cantor received an offer from his father, Leonard Cantor, to return to Philadelphia and manage the family business, and he soon came aboard as Insinger’s VP of sales. He traveled across the country and worked with sales reps, dealers and the FCSI community to grow noncommercial sales and enhance existing military relationships. He worked long hours alongside his team and beloved administrative assistant, Marie Lohwasser, who passed earlier this year. In 1989, after the Berlin Wall fell, Cantor realized that it was time to pivot, and he worked to grow commercial sales and develop new products for the foodservice equipment market.

In 1996, Leonard retired and sold his shares of Insinger to his son. Shortly thereafter, he became Chief Executive Officer. As CEO, Cantor focused on developing new distribution channels (foodservice equipment industry buying groups) and digital technologies (AutoCAD, CNC fabrication equipment, digital catalogs, etc.). He embraced change—and encouraged others to as well. Furthermore, he became a staunch advocate for “the next generation.” He actively recruited new personnel, welcomed fresh ideas and encouraged industry peers to follow his lead.

“Cantor knew that people—not product—were the key to Insinger’s continued success,” says the company.

In 2009, Insinger suffered a five-alarm fire that destroyed part of its facility and interrupted business operations. The next day, Leonard Cantor passed away.

“Throughout that painful period, Mr. Cantor kept his composure and demonstrated true leadership: Insinger lost one day of productivity—and began shipping product using diesel-powered generators and trailers equipped as portable offices a mere 24 hours after the fire,” says a release. “He made sure employees were back to work and customers received their orders—the rebuilding would follow.”

In 2014, recognizing his continued health complications related to Parkinson’s disease and the need for continuity, Cantor passed the torch to his son, Ari. He became president and Cantor became chairman.

“Cantor showed his son the ‘ropes’ and thoroughly explained people, purpose, finances, customers, accounts and the importance of ‘doing the right thing—always,’” says the release. “But most importantly, Mr. Cantor instilled his business principles in Ari—and vocalized his goals and wishes for Insinger, including his ongoing commitment to customers and staff.”

Cantor is survived by his wife, Joyce, his daughter, Rebecca, his son, Ari, and two grandchildren, Jake and Zeke.

Donations can be made in his memory to The Parkinson’s Foundation or The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.