I recently attended the funeral for Gerald Birnbach. Up from humble beginnings as the son of a Boston funeral director, and suffering from a variety of serious childhood ailments, Gerry became the CEO of Rowe Furniture, and, as far as anyone could determine, was the longest-serving NYSE CEO. Employees at all levels called him “Mr. B.” and he treated them all with respect and a smile. Gerry was the consummate salesman. He had many standard lines and clever sayings that all his friends and acquaintances knew. One that I recall well, was “I know my customer”. And he did. He knew all about them, and how to help them and how to help make their businesses grow. He was also a family man, leaving four children and a growing band of grandchildren behind. He hosted the entire bunch to Maryland University basketball games (in first row seats by the way). He loved his grandchildren and, as far as I can tell, they returned his love an...