Marty Kloser, Meat Industry Veteran and Handtmann Sales Pioneer Dies

Marty Kloser, long-time meat industry professional and founding Handtmann, Inc. employee, died Tuesday, February 18, 2020 at the age of 91 in Sacramento, Calif.  

Born outside of Chicago in 1928, Kloser began his career in the food industry by loading ice cream at the Good Humor plant in Chicago.  After graduating from the University of Wisconsin and serving in the U.S. Army, Kloser started at Oscar Mayer in 1951 and worked in Davenport, Iowa.  He transferred back to Chicago for Oscar Mayer in 1954 and joined Hygrade in 1963 where he spent 22 years.  Kloser earned a Doctor of Law (J.D.) degree at Northwestern University and moved with his wife Finney to California in 1965, first with Purita Sausage and then Brechteen.   

In 1985 he began working with Multivac and then in 1990 was the first salesperson to join Steve Tennis at Handtmann, Inc., the newly launched U.S. sales and service subsidiary of Handtmann Machinenfabrik from Biberach, Germany. 

“For those who knew him, Marty was always a caring person with a great story about one of his adventures or experiences,” said Handtmann President Tom Kittle. “He became a legend in the industry and has been such a powerful role model in our Handtmann organization because of his character.  Marty shared his knowledge freely and over the years spread his philosophy by personal example that the best thing for his customer was always the best thing for all.”  

While a student-athlete at the University of Wisconsin Kloser qualified as an alternate member of the U.S. Olympic Track team for the 10,000 meter heel/toe walking event at the 1948 London Olympics.  He remained passionate about Wisconsin Football throughout his life, attending many games and bowl games – and missing only one Wisconsin Rose Bowl appearance.  A life-long learner who was passionate about other cultures, Kloser traveled to more than 100 countries with Finney and experienced history first-hand when he and Finney were at the Berlin Wall when it came down in 1989. 

“For all of us who knew and learned from him, Marty was a wonderful person, an exceptional salesperson, and a memorable influence on our lives because of his great personal character,” Kittle said.  

Kloser was preceded in death by his wife, Finney, who passed in 2009; he is survived by his four children, Martin III (“Trip”), Mary Beth, Tim, and David; eight grandchildren; and three great grandchildren.