Home Depot Co-Founder Dies at the Age of 95

Bernard “Bernie” Marcus, the co-founder of The Home Depot, has died. He was 95.

Home Depot shared the news in a press statement. It reads, “The Home Depot is deeply saddened by the passing of our beloved founder, Bernard Marcus. To us, he was simply ‘Bernie.’”

“Bernie was an inspiration in many ways,” The Home Depot continued. “He was a master merchant and a genius with customer service. Together with Arthur Blank and Ken Langone, Bernie helped create a nation of doers who could tackle any project, large or small. He loved our customers. He also loved the associates who made the company what it is today.”

The statement concluded, “More than anything, he deeply believed in the company’s core values, particularly that of giving back. He never lost sight of his humble roots, using his success not for fame or fortune but to generously help others. In business and in charity, Bernie was unparalleled in generosity and goodwill.”

Bernie Marcus Wanted a Place Where Do-It-Yourselfers Could Feel at Home

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Bernie Marcus grew up in Newark, New Jersey. According to his Home Depot biography, he wanted to be a doctor. Financially for the Marcus family that wasn’t possible, so instead he enrolled in pharmacy school.

After college, Marcus worked at the manufacturing conglomerate O’Dell’s and retail chain Vornado, Inc. By 1972, Bernie was the chairman of the board and president of Handy Dan Improvement Centers, Inc., a part of the Daylin conglomerate. It was there he befriended Arthur Blank, forming a partnership and friendship that would become the crux of Home Depot.

Marcus always had an idea of a store where do-it-yourselfers could come and purchase what they needed and get expert advice at the same time. He, Arthur, and Ron Brill secured the necessary financing to get The Home Depot off the ground in 1979. The rest is DIY history.

The Home Depot corporate page states the company currently has 475,000 store associates and more than 2,300 stores in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.