James Gerstley, who was instrumental in acquiring Judaica and securing funding for the Judah L. Magnes Museum in Berkeley, died at his home in Atherton on Saturday, June 2. He was 99.
“The man was really something,” said Seymour Fromer, who directed the museum for its first 35 years.
“When you met him, you knew you were with a very dignified, thoughtful person,” he added. “He was very enthusiastic in developing the museum and the [Jewish] archives.”
Gerstley made a name for himself in the business world due to his work with Pacific Coast Borax Company. Upon retirement in 1963, he dedicated his time, energy and money to numerous community initiatives.
At Magnes, he helped create the Western Jewish History Center. He also served as chairman of the Asian Art Commission, during which time he set up an endowment fund that enabled the Asian Art Museum staff to travel and hunt for items to exhibit.
“He loved going to museums,” said his son James, of Santa Monica. “Of course, he also loved fishing, and traveling. He would take us on camping trips through Wyoming and the High Sierras. And Europe a couple of times. He was a planner. He didn’t leave much to chance.”
Gerstley was born in London in 1907. His father was English and his mother, Adele Mack, was a native of San Francisco. Gerstley arrived in the City by the Bay in 1929, following his studies at Cambridge University.
Gerstley started with Pacific Coast Borax in 1933 as assistant to the president, and eventually became president of the mining firm. Under his leadership, sales soared. He also helped develop the company’s most well-known product, called Boraxo, which is 85 percent borax and 15 percent soap. When a new mineral was discovered in Boron, Calif. in 1957, it was named “gerstleyite” in his honor. In 2003, he was named to the National Mining Hall of Fame.
Despite his success and pedigree, friends and family say he was an amiable, accessible person.
“He was very hospitable, very friendly, a great communicator,” James said of his father. “He made you feel at home.”
He is survived by Elizabeth Lilienthal Gerstley, his wife of 72 years, son James Gerstley of Santa Monica, daughter Anne Pieper of Concord, one granddaughter and two great-granddaughters.
The family prefers contributions be made to the Asian Art Museum, 200 Larkin St., San Francisco, CA 94102; Pomona College Scholarship Fund, 333 N. College Way, Claremont, CA 91711; or the Haas-Lilienthal House, 2007 Franklin St., San Francisco, CA 94109.
Services will be private.