TRIBUTE: STANLEY W. BAYERSDORFER, FOUNDER OF THE FASHION POST, LOUISVILLE

Stanley W. Bayersdorfer, 96, passed away peacefully on January 5, 2025. Born in Steubenville, OH, he grew up in Louisville, where he was a member of Castlewood Athletic Club. He was a graduate of Riverside Military Academy, the University of Louisville, and served as a staff sergeant in the United States Army Air Corps during the Korean War.

With his wife, Ellen, he founded The Fashion Post in 1959, where he continued working until just weeks before his death.

Asked to say a few words about his dad, Bob Bayersdorfer, now minding the store, was at first hesitant. “Stanley wouldn’t have wanted a lot of fanfare, but he was a special guy, an industry veteran who opened our store in 1959. He was one of Martin Bayer’s first clients in an era when natural shoulder, ivy league styles were burgeoning. He loved his family, The Fashion Post and the golf course – in that order. He continued to work 5-6 days a week until just weeks before he died. Whenever customers learned that he was 96 and asked how he did it, he’d reply with two words: ‘Keep working.'”

Asked what he learned from his dad, Bob had trouble summarizing. “One of the most lasting lessons was a story from his days as an assistant buyer in Memphis in the mid 1950s at long-closed Lowenstein’s department store. He began in sales in the men’s furnishings department. One of the clerks took him under his wing and taught him never to judge customers: you never know who might have what, especially drawing from western Tennessee, northern Mississippi and Arkansas. He’d point out, ‘The guy in overalls with mud on his boots could be the largest cotton grower or hog farmer in the region. Treat everyone with respect.'”

“Another lesson I learned from my dad: always keep an open mind when buying, and don’t be afraid to try new things. Also, Stanley never beat the drum about relationship building: it was innate for him and at his core. He believed that if you do right by others with integrity and respect, that will come back to you. He never burned any bridges. Relationships would occasionally go south but he’d advise, ‘You never know when you and that vendor or salesman might want to do business again. Let it go and hold no grudges.'”

“One more special trait was my dad’s regard for youngsters, be they college kids on the floor, young upcoming sales reps or the kid in the pro shop who wiped off his clubs after a round. He always showed them a smile and words of encouragement. He understood that they are the future and deserve respect and encouragement.  

“Of course, he was my father and I was lucky to have him in my life for 61 years, working together for nearly 40. He was healthy, living alone, driving (safely) and working five days a week until the day before he couldn’t. My mother (his wife of 66 years) died three years ago and our family truly believes it was The Fashion Post (and the golf course) that kept him going. He loved getting up in the morning and having somewhere to go. He loved his family, the store, his customers and the golf course – especially after a good round!”

Stanley was a board member of Actors Theatre of Louisville, the city of Rolling Fields, Frazier Rehab Institute, and the University of Louisville Board of Overseers. He was past president of the University of Louisville Associates and Standard Country Club, as well as past chairman of the March of Dimes and Jewish Hospital Healthcare Services. He was predeceased by his wife of 66 years, Ellen, his parents, Helen and Dr. Silas Starr, and his sister, Ruth Sobel.

Survivors include his children Carol Cohen (Ed), Bill (Emily Trader), Bob, and David; Grandchildren Ellie Cohen (Julian Groover), Andy Cohen (Julia Katzman); and great-granddaughter Caroline Groover, along with many cousins, nieces, and nephews plus his extended Fashion Post family of alumni and friends.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to the donor’s charity of choice.