Bruce Katz was the founder of the Rockport Shoe Company, where he pioneered walking shoes.
Katz’s grandfather had founded the Hubbard Show Company and passed his love for good footwear down to Katz and his father. In 1971, Katz and his father founded the Rockport Shoe Company, using principles he learned as an Engineering Physics major at Cornell University. They created RocSports, a lightweight shoe designed expressly for walking with a light orthotic. The walking shoe was a new concept that exploded in popularity. Katz was a promoter of walking for exercise, encouraging consumers to take up fitness walking. After selling the Rockport Show Company to Reebok in 1986, Katz became an internet pioneer, investing in early internet service providers. He co-founded the Republic of Tea and established the Katz Family Foundation in support of environmental and educational causes.
Tributes to Bruce Katz
Awful news. Bruce Katz was a supporter of progressive causes. And his shoes were great. Just two weeks ago I emailed him to reconnect and didn’t hear back. Now I know why. Deepest condolences to the family and a hearty thank-you to Bruce for his many good deeds. https://t.co/lDIDagSdfC
— David Corn (@DavidCornDC) July 3, 2022
It is with great sadness that we share the recent passing of a member of the Rockport family, Bruce Katz, Rockport’s Co-Founder and an innovator in the footwear industry. pic.twitter.com/lnuNhqEhyQ
— Rockport (@Rockport) July 1, 2022
WIth great sadness, I want to share with many professional and personal friends the passing of Bruce Katz, the CEO/Founder of Rockport and Samuel Hubbard Shoes. He left us June 26. Here is his obituary from the NYTimes https://t.co/LgjSuzhRKv
— carolcone (@carolcone) July 3, 2022
Bruce Katz sponsored a yearlong walk, from 1984 to 1985, around the U.S. by a chemical engineer, Robert Sweetgall, who wore @Rockport shoe over more than 11,000 miles to demonstrate the cardiovascular benefits of walking https://t.co/iVWCnsSaSn
— Andreas Harsono (@andreasharsono) July 4, 2022
Full obituary: San Francisco Chronicle
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