Fred B. Huesman, Former Owner of Desmond’s, Dies

Fred B. Huesman, former owner of the now defunct Desmond’s clothing store chain which was founded near Los Angeles’ historic Olvera Street in 1862, has died. He was 79.

Huesman died Wednesday during open heart surgery at St. Vincent’s Medical Center.

A native of Glendale, Huesman joined Desmond’s five years after his uncle, Ralph R. Huesman, purchased it from Desmond family heirs in 1921. He succeeded his uncle as president in 1944 and continued in that position until 1973, when he took the title of chairman.

Huesman retired in 1978, and the chain, which had become a part of the New York-based Cluett, Peabody & Co., went out of business in 1981.

At its peak, the chain had 19 stores throughout Southern California. It began as a hat shop founded by Daniel Desmond and grew into a major apparel retailer selling men’s, women’s and boys’ specialty clothing.

Shortly after the chain’s centennial, Huesman streamlined Desmond’s merchandising, redesigning the stores to make items traditionally stored in glass showcases more accessible to customers. Retailers, he said, had an obligation to make shopping pleasant as well as to supply merchandise.

Huesman is survived by two daughters, Joan Madden and Marianne Huesman, and one son, Ralph F. Huesman, and eight grandchildren.

His brother, Father John E. Huesman, will say the funeral Mass at 7 p.m. Sunday in Christ the King Church, 624 N. Rossmore Ave. Interment will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Calvary Cemetery.

The family has asked that any memorial contributions be made to the Fred B. Huesman Scholarship Fund at Loyola High School, from which Huesman was graduated. Contributions can be addressed to the president’s office at the school, 1901 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles 90006.