I was saddened to hear of the passing on Dec. 14 of Jack Bittner, former longtime publisher of The Wholesaler magazine who retired more than a decade ago. I never worked with Jack but knew him as a friendly competitor who was well liked and respected throughout the industry.

To me, Jack personified the notion that people can disagree without being disagreeable. According to son Bruce Bittner, Jack had battled cancer for many years before succumbing. He was 86.

- by Jim Olsztynski