Lawrence R. Beyer

Lawrence Richard Beyer passed away peacefully at home in Palm Beach, FL surrounded by his family on April 19 after a long illness. He was 89 years old. Born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1935 to Gertrude (née Levine) and Lawrence A. Beyer, Larry graduated from Shaker Heights High School and attended Ohio State University, majoring in business.

Larry served in the army and was stationed in Korea and Japan during and after the Korean conflict. Upon his return, Larry worked as an artificial flower wholesaler. He married fellow Clevelander Michele (Mickey) Mandel. After raising their three sons in Cleveland, they moved to Palm Beach, FL.

Larry, along with two partners, founded ZBS, the first video distributor in the country of pre-recorded films on video, representing the major motion picture studios. Larry served as the first president of the Video Association of America, a national trade organization. ZBS branched into other businesses, including importing and distributing the iconic dancing flower in a pot which became a craze in the early 1990s.

Over the years, Larry served on various philanthropic boards in Cleveland and Palm Beach where he had a particular interest in children’s and Jewish causes. Mickey and Larry traveled extensively around the world and spent their summers in Italy for twenty years. Back home, Larry was an avid golfer, a contemporary art collector, an Ohio State Buckeye fan, and parent to six poodles.

He was a patient and loving husband to Mickey who survives him; a devoted father to his three sons, Rob (Loren), Anthony (Vanessa), and Timothy; adored grandfather of Bliss Beyer, Belle Beyer, Alexander Beyer and Nikolaus Beyer; dedicated brother to Joan Levy of Cleveland and uncle to Susan and Peter; and was unconditionally worshipped by his teacup poodle Rosy who never left his side.