Harold Max Mayer, 90; former chairman of Oscar Mayer & Co.

Harold Max Mayer, 90, the former chairman of Oscar Mayer & Co. who helped oversee the sale of the company, died in his sleep Friday at his home in Indian Wells.

Born in Chicago in 1917, Mayer was the grandson of the company’s namesake. He earned a degree in hotel administration from Cornell University and served in the Army during World War II.

His career in the family business that started in a Chicago butcher shop spanned more than 40 years. Mayer served as president of Kartridg-Pak, a subsidiary of Oscar Mayer.

Among his other accomplishments, Mayer invented the popular “Smokie Link,” a spicy hot dog, and took an active role in acquiring and managing Claussen Pickle Co. and Louis Rich Co.

Oscar Mayer was sold to General Foods Corp. in 1981, when Mayer was chairman of the board.

He also was a member of the owners’ syndicate that brought the Bulls National Basketball Assn. expansion franchise to Chicago for the 1966-67 season.