Ed Hambrecht Dies at Home

Edward Hambrecht, who enjoyed a 40-year career as a leader in the retail design industry, died at home Saturday after a long battle with multiple myeloma.

Together with James Terrell, he co-founded Hambrecht Terrell International (HTI) in 1980, serving as ceo and chairman. The firm grew to become one of the most prestigious retail design companies worldwide, with clients such as Bloomingdale's, Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s, Museum of Modern Art Design Store, Marshall Field’s, May Company, Rich’s and Neiman Marcus in the United States and Selfridges, Harrods, House of Fraser, Edgar’s, Myers Grace Bros., Odakyu, Hankyu, Tang’s and Mesbla overseas. The firm also won numerous awards for its architectural and interior design projects.

The firm subsequently merged with Store Design Intl. (Cincinnati), becoming HTI/SDI with offices in New York and Cincinnati and, in the mid-1990s, following Terrell's death, was renamed FRCH Design Worldwide. Hambrecht was, of course, the H.

Hambrecht was born in Queens, N.Y., in 1935 and raised in Bergenfield, N.J. After graduating from Pratt Institute, he began his career as an architect at R.H. Macy & Co after spending five years in the U.S. Marine Corps reserves.

He went on to serve as chief architect for the JC Penney Co.; head the interiors division at Copeland, Novak & Israel (CNI); and direct planning and construction for May Co. California, as senior vp, from 1978 to 1980.

Hambrecht is survived by his wife of 43 years, Margaret Curtis; sons Stephen, Roy, Eric and Christian; and nine grandchildren. The funeral service will be held at Christ Church, in Ridgewood, N.J., today at 2 p.m.