Obituary: Sammy Ofer dies at 89; Israeli business tycoon

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Robinson owned Sugar Hill Records. The label released “Rapper’s Delight” by the Sugar Hill Gang in 1979. It’s considered the first mainstream hip-hop hit. She also had a solo hit with “Pillow Talk” in 1973. She was 76. Full obituary

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Pratt was a former Black Panther whose 1972 murder conviction was overturned after he spent 27 years behind bars for a crime he said he did not commit. He was 63. Full obituary

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He was considered a living god by millions of Hindus. After declaring himself the reincarnation of a Hindu saint in 1940, he built a loyal following, including politicians and celebrities, despite allegations of sexual abuse. He leaves a trust worth billions of dollars. He was 84. Full obituary

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A prolific thinker and creator, he is credited with innovations in cable modems, interactive TV, airport metal detectors and the “packet switching” technology that helped lead to the Internet. Above, Baran receives the National Medal of Technology and Innovation from President Bush in 2008. He was 84. Full obituary

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The political reporter and Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist wrote more than four decades for the Washington Post, where he mentored countless colleagues. He appeared on “Meet the Press” some 400 times. He was 81. Full obituary

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Frank Buckles, the last American veteran of World War I, drove ambulances in France and later spent years in an internment camp after Japan’s invasion of the Philippines in WWII. He was 110. Full obituary

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The composer won five Oscars for films such as “Born Free” and “Out of Africa” and scored Bond films including “Goldfinger,” “Diamonds Are Forever” and “From Russia With Love.” His work on the Bond franchise put him in the forefront of music composers. He was 77. Full obituary

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Grannis photographs documented California surf culture of the 1960s and ‘70s. His images helped popularize and immortalize the sport -- and the life behind it -- at a crucial point in its history. “His photos captured the real thing,” wrote surfing journalist Steve Barilotti. He was 93. Full obituary (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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The British director earned Academy Award nominations for “Breaking Away” and “The Dresser.” “Bullitt” was Yates’ American directing debut. It starred Steve McQueen as a detective and featured a memorable car chase on the streets of San Francisco with McQueen at the wheel of a Mustang. He was 81. Full obituary

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By Edmund Sanders, Los Angeles Times

June 4, 2011 12 AM PT

Reporting from Jerusalem -- Israeli billionaire Sammy Ofer, whose powerful, family-owned conglomerate is under scrutiny for alleged dealings with Iran, died Friday in Tel Aviv after a long illness. He was 89.

Considered Israel’s richest man with a family fortune estimated by Forbes at $10.3 billion, Ofer and his brother, Yuli, built Ofer Bros. Group into Israel’s biggest private enterprise, with interests in shipping, oil refineries, chemicals, semiconductors, banking and media.

“Ofer was a Zionist through and through, and never forgot his commitment to others, even when he ascended to great heights,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Among the family’s holdings are stakes in Israel Corp., Zim Shipping, Royal Caribbean International, Dead Sea Works, Israel Chemicals and Mizrahi-Tefahot Bank.

Colleagues said Ofer’s business acumen and management skills set a new standard in Israel for running for-profit companies, helping transform the country’s economy over the last 20 years from one dominated by lackluster government-run companies to a fast-growing market that draws international investment.

“He’s the one who helped bring in huge funds from abroad by buying Israeli companies, investing in Israeli companies and making Israeli companies flourish,” said Shlomo Maoz, chief economist at Excellence Investment, one of Israel’s largest investment houses. “His impact on the economy has been unbelievable.”

Ofer is survived by his wife, Aviva; and two sons, Eyal and Idan, who have been running the company for years.

“The group’s business will continue without change, while protecting our tradition of hard work and commitment, which constitute the great inheritance Sammy left behind him,” the company said in a statement Friday.

The family’s fortunes and government ties have long stirred controversy in Israel. Critics allege that the family has used its influence to win lucrative concessions, particularly in purchasing government assets, such as oil refineries.

A journalist and documentary-maker who accused the Ofers of corruption in 2008 found no commercial television channel willing to air his film after the family threatened to sue.

Last week, Ofer Bros. was in the headlines again amid allegations that the company had commercial dealings with Iran, Israel’s archenemy.

U.S. officials have accused an Ofer subsidiary of violating U.S. sanctions against Iran by selling an oil tanker for $8.6 million to a front company, which then sold it to an Iranian firm.

In a statement last week, Ofer officials said they were not aware that the final buyer was an Iranian firm.

The State Department said Ofer “failed to exercise due diligence” and should have known it was dealing with an Iranian front company.

Since then, Israeli media reports allege that at least half a dozen Ofer-owned ships have docked in Iranian ports over the last decade, raising questions about whether the company also violated Israeli restrictions on commercial trade with Iran. Israeli officials are mulling whether to open an investigation.

Ofer representatives, speaking anonymously to the media, claimed that the company had government permission to visit Iran and hinted that it was assisting in the “national” interest. Israeli officials quickly denied such claims and the company later backed away from the statements.

Born in Romania in 1922, Ofer immigrated with his family at the age of 2 to Palestine, which was then under British control. He served in the Royal Navy during World War II and the Israeli navy during Israel’s 1948 war of independence.

He and his brother turned their father’s small Haifa-based shipping firm into one of the world’s largest, purchasing their first ship in 1950.

A philanthropist and collector of Impressionist art, the notoriously press-shy Ofer — widely recognized for his trademark goggle-like eyeglasses — in recent years spent much of his time in Monte Carlo before settling back in Israel.

Services will be held Sunday in Tel Aviv.

edmund.sanders@latimes.com

Sammy Ofer dies at 89; Israeli business tycoon

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