Craig Schiffer
1956-08-25 2014-12-23
Craig Schiffer, 58, an investment banker who held numerous global leadership roles in over 35 years in the industry, died in an avalanche on December 23, 2014, while skiing with his children in Val Thorens, France. A resident of Summit, NJ, Craig is survived by his parents, Charles Schiffer and Carol Polinsky; his wife, Amy; his five children, Zach, Jessica, Zoe, Annie, and Gabe; and his siblings Michael Schiffer and Leslie Schiffer McGinn. Born in Cleveland, OH on August 25, 1956, he grew up in Denver, graduated in 1974 from Thomas Jefferson High School, and went on to graduate from UC Santa Cruz with a BA in history.
On June 1, 1996, he married Amy, the love of his life, mother of his three youngest children and an amazing stepmother to Zach and Jessica. An expert in credit and a strong strategic thinker, Craig worked at Lehman Brothers, from 1978 to 1996, holding various executive positions. In 1997 he moved to the debt division of Japan-based Nomura Holdings Inc. In 2003, he moved to Dresdner Kleinwort, as the New York-based chief executive of the Americas until 2006. In 2009 he opened Sevara Partners, an adviser to investors and companies, and in 2013 began working as a managing director at Cowen Group.
Craig, a larger-than-life personality, was known for his loyalty, humor, and boundless energy. An avid skier, biker, hiker, and overall lover of the outdoors, he constantly sought adventure. His love of the outdoors was rivaled only by his love of food and friends. Nothing pleased him more than a meal with those he loved. His spirit and determination were infectious, an inspiration to everyone he came across, especially his children, whom he deeply loved. Craig simply had a zest for life -- for living it to the fullest and then some, and for helping others make the most of it, too. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him. It is his children's hope to carry on the legacy of this great man.
On June 1, 1996, he married Amy, the love of his life, mother of his three youngest children and an amazing stepmother to Zach and Jessica. An expert in credit and a strong strategic thinker, Craig worked at Lehman Brothers, from 1978 to 1996, holding various executive positions. In 1997 he moved to the debt division of Japan-based Nomura Holdings Inc. In 2003, he moved to Dresdner Kleinwort, as the New York-based chief executive of the Americas until 2006. In 2009 he opened Sevara Partners, an adviser to investors and companies, and in 2013 began working as a managing director at Cowen Group.
Craig, a larger-than-life personality, was known for his loyalty, humor, and boundless energy. An avid skier, biker, hiker, and overall lover of the outdoors, he constantly sought adventure. His love of the outdoors was rivaled only by his love of food and friends. Nothing pleased him more than a meal with those he loved. His spirit and determination were infectious, an inspiration to everyone he came across, especially his children, whom he deeply loved. Craig simply had a zest for life -- for living it to the fullest and then some, and for helping others make the most of it, too. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him. It is his children's hope to carry on the legacy of this great man.