Announcing the passing of Former Chair and CEO of Day & Zimmermann, Harold L. “Spike” Yoh, Jr.

Philadelphia – June 24, 2024. It is with great sadness and gratitude that Day & Zimmermann (D&Z) announces the passing of former Chair and CEO, Harold L. “Spike” Yoh, Jr., aged 87, most recently of Key Largo, Florida, on Friday, June 21, 2024. Mr. Yoh was head of the company from 1976 to 1998 and was the second generation of the Yoh family to own and run the company, purchasing it, along with a group of investors, from his father. A native Philadelphian, Mr. Yoh, lived, worked, worshipped, and was active in the Philadelphia community for the majority of his working life and after retirement.

Mr. Yoh started with the company in 1948, at the age of 12, working summers first in the Yoh Company Photo Lab, and then in various roles part-time as he continued through high school and college. He would continue to work in the family business for almost 50 years, participating in and then overseeing a period of tremendous growth, both organic and through acquisition, that saw the company soar to more than $1 Billion in revenue and more than 16,000 employees. In 1998, he sold the company to his five children, three of whom continue to own D&Z today and it would become one of very few companies that are third-generation, family-owned, winning Family Business of the Year that same year. In retirement, he stayed active and connected to friends, colleagues and the many business and community organizations he supported throughout his life.

In an internal company article published in 2011 to celebrate the company’s 110-year anniversary, Mr. Yoh noted the importance of the people in the company – a common theme with him for those who knew and worked with him. He noted: “During my time with the Company, I always made it a point to connect with as many employees – at all levels – as possible, whether at home office events or when visiting the company’s many field locations. Even at more formal events within the company, we discouraged head tables for the leadership so that we could interact with and learn from employees on a more personal level.”

It was during his tenure as CEO that the company adopted its motto and brand promise, “We Do What We Say.” In the same article, he remarked, “The Day & Zimmermann culture is very distinct and is what led us to our motto, “We Do What We Say”. He continued, “With this new motto, each member of the Day & Zimmermann family realized that their word was both respected and expected. We would do what we say in every interaction with our colleagues, customers, competitors and in our community.”

Mr. Yoh was a patriotic supporter his country, and was active in business and community organizations in Philadelphia and beyond, including leadership roles with the National Defense Industrial Association, National Technical Services Association, Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. Olympic Committee, the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation, the University of the Arts, the Haverford School (where he attended high school), Boy Scouts of America and the Young Presidents Organization. He was a life-long supporter of his alma mater, Duke University (’58) where he was chair of the board of trustees and was board chair of the Ocean Reef Club where he lived. During his life and career, he met with eight U.S. presidents, including Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter.

As D&Z approaches its 125^th anniversary, we celebrate the life of, and mourn the loss of, a great leader, father and Philadelphian, Harold L. “Spike” Yoh, Jr. He will remain a legend in the history of Day & Zimmermann.