Millionaire philanthropist Marshall P. Katz’s time, ideas, energy and money created a lasting legacy — and a one-of-a-kind urban parklet — that helped shape Pittsburgh’s cultural arts scene for decades.
“He was a longtime member of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust board of trustees as well as a lot of other arts groups,” said Kevin McMahon, president of the trust, who met Mr. Katz 15 years ago.
“He was filled with all kinds of great information about the Cultural Trust and his views on the arts. He was responsible for Katz Plaza, which has become one of the most iconic urban parks in the region. He’ll always be remembered as a great arts lover.”
Mr. Katz, who dedicated his life to the arts after retiring as chief executive of Papercraft Corp. in 1989, died Tuesday at his Shadyside home of complications from a stroke he suffered on Father’s Day, according to his wife, Wallis Katz. He was 77.
In 1982, Mr. Katz became chief executive of Papercraft, the household consumer products business founded in 1945 by his father, Joseph M. Katz. The elder Mr. Katz, for whom the University of Pittsburgh’s graduate business school is named, had built the business into a major producer of gift wrap, artificial Christmas trees and consumer products ranging from Ty-D-Bol toilet cleaner to LePage’s glue.
Mr. Katz worked for his father’s business for 28 years and was chief executive for the last six years he was there.
Outside the family business, Mr. Katz became a respected leader in Pittsburgh’s cultural arts community. He also had a venerable private art and wine collection that he enjoyed sharing with friends.
“Marshall was unfailingly gracious,” said Aaron Bisno, rabbi of Rodef Shalom Temple, where Mr. Katz was a member. “He was a gentleman and a gentle man. He was cultured and refined. He was known for his taste and for his collection. He was generous about sharing that love of culture and cuisine and art in particular.”
Mr. Katz was born Sept. 17, 1939, in Pittsburgh and graduated from Cornell University in 1961 before serving in the Coast Guard. In 1965, he married Wallis, the daughter of family friends. By then, he was already working for the family business.
“He was working for Papercraft in all different facets,” Mrs. Katz said.
Mr. Katz and his father, who died in 1991, gave up leadership of the firm in 1988 in the wake of the company’s deteriorating finances. They were paid $1.5 million to terminate their contracts and retained a more than 30 percent interest in the company after leaving.
Papercraft’s undoing was a $240 million leveraged buyout in 1985 that took the company private. The buyout was based on rosy projections of increased revenue that never materialized. As part of the 1985 buyout, stockholders received $16 in cash for each share plus junior subordinated bonds in Papercraft’s holding company, Amalgamated Investment Corp.
Mr. Katz kept busy in retirement, serving on the boards of the Carnegie Museum of Art, Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh Opera, Pittsburgh Symphony and Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.
“He had the time and the knowledge,” Mrs. Katz said. “I just think he wanted to do it for Pittsburgh.”
Bart Cowan, a longtime friend, said that although Mr. Katz served on many boards, he was selective about the organizations he would join.
“I think he was cautious in his approach to charitable opportunities and organizations,” Mr. Cowan said. “I believe he made sure that before he decided to get involved with an organization, and before he did get involved with an organization, he made sure that he was compatible with that organization.”
Mr. Katz and his sister, Andrea McCutcheon, helped fund the Agnes M. Katz Plaza at Penn Avenue and Seventh Street, Downtown, with a $1 million in gift in 1999. Mrs. Katz said her husband sponsored the park -- known for its 25-foot bronze fountain and striking eyeball-shaped benches -- because he wanted to honor his mother.
Mr. Katz himself was an avid art collector. He collected modern and contemporary art as well as decorative and fine art objects. His collection of 19th century Palissy ceramics was considered to be one of the best in the world. He wrote three books and more than 25 magazine articles on Palissy ware.
Mr. Katz also frequently traveled to Europe, especially France, where he could visit vineyards.
“Not only was he generous with his cultural philanthropy, but he was very generous in sharing his fabulous wine cellar with other wine lovers among his circle,” said Elizabeth Downer, former Post-Gazette wine columnist and a friend of Mr. Katz.
In addition to his wife and sister, Mr. Katz is survived by his sister, Andrea McCutcheon; and a daughter, Lauren S. Katz.
Services at Rodef Shalom Temple, 4905 Fifth Ave., at 12:30 p.m. Friday. Visitation begins at 11 a.m. Friday. Entombment will take place at the West View Cemetery of Rodef Shalom.
Donations can be made to the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, 234 McKee Place, Pittsburgh, 15213, www.jfedpgh.org, or to the Pittsburgh Opera, 2425 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh, 15222, www.pittsburghopera.org.
Andrew Goldstein: agoldstein@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1352. Dan Majors contributed.
First Published: July 21, 2017, 10:30 a.m.
