Robert Prenner, lawyer who found his passion producing classically styled apparel and eyewear, as The Ben Silver Collection, dies at 83. He created, with his wife, a tribute to classic style that captured the enthusiasm of their distinguished clientele with refined and tasteful clothing. Robert "Bob" Prenner trained as a corporate lawyer, and created an updated expression of timeless style in tailored menswear and accessories, including a unique and exclusive collection of classically styled tortoise shell eyeglass frames, died on June 30, 2025 in Chicago. He was 83. The cause was cancer, his wife, Sue Prenner, said. The Ben Silver Collection, annually expressed in elegant catalogs mailed to millions of customers throughout the United States, is also available in its flagship store in Charleston, South Carolina and on its website. Mr. Prenner began his professional career as an attorney, and found, especially in his legal work for R.H. Macy & Co., that he enjoyed discovering the merchant's role and creativity more than the legal work he performed. In 1978, he and his wife each left their legal careers to take over a small jewelry blazer button company owned by his father-in-law, Ben Silver, after the sudden death of Mr. Silver. Neither Mr. Prenner nor his wife, knew anything about the business, but within two years, they achieved a milestone in the esoteric world of button making, when they were awarded a contract to produce 350,000 sets of Blazer Buttons as commemorative gifts for the 1980 Ronald Regan Presidential Inaugural Ball. The Prenners then moved the company from wholesale into direct retail sales with their first mail order catalog, and soon afterward, into their retail store location on historic King Street in Charleston, South Carolina. Mr. Prenner developed a blazer to serve as the backdrop for the buttons, but in time, as he educated himself to manufacturing and materials, he began to develop a full line of tailored clothing and accessories to appeal to a traditional customer who longed for the classics that had become increasingly difficult to find in the high-style 1980s. The tailored clothing was recognized for its authentic American style. Over the years, Mr. Prenner's deepening relationships with British and European cloth and knit mills for silk, cotton, woolens and cashmere allowed him to create a full collection of clothing and accessories. High quality and craftsmanship became his standard, as he learned more about various aspects of the manufacturing process. Mr. Prenner personally oversaw every product in its development and added merchandise that he nostalgically recalled from his past, and had enjoyed wearing, but could no longer find. For example, his love of authentic British striped ties resulted in the largest selection of striped silk neckwear in the world. The shearling coat that he had worn as a young man and could no longer be found in the marketplace, and though it took several years to perfect, became a signature item. He developed what he thought was the perfect blue jean and began offering that during the pandemic period, when many customers remained at home. The jeans, along with other casual wear, broadened the collection. Perhaps nothing became his signature as much as his demi-blond eyewear frames, made exclusively for the collection since 1997. Strangers had commented on his personal frame, which was no longer available for sale, and he decided to produce these with Lafont of Paris. The frames, now offered in multiple sizes, have fitted the faces of over 25,000 people. Typical of Mr. Prenner's sense of humor is that he said that wearing the demi-blond frame lifted the wearer's IQ by 50 points. When not traveling to mills or contractors, Mr. Prenner was often in his flagship Ben Silver retail store in Charleston, where he welcomed conversation with his customers. Over the years, the shop in King Street became an iconic landmark of Mr. Prenner's adopted city. Because both the exterior and the unique interior of the Ben Silver shop invited the attention of many visitors to Charleston, the setting became a scene for several special events. The store served as the backdrop for a key scene in the TV series "Outer Banks" and resulted in the shop becoming part of regular tours of the city. Mr. Prenner had a well-deserved reputation for caring for his staff and took pride in creating a family environment in the office. He partnered with his wife in the business, and their children were important in developing the achievements of the company. He engendered loyalty among his staff. He was respected by his suppliers for his integrity, keen intellect, high standards and his exceptional taste. He was admired by customers and those who knew him, even briefly, as a kind and gentle person with a sharp sense of humor. He was a leader in the Charleston community for many years and believed in civic responsibility and global commitment. In 2020 the company donated to World Central Kitchen's efforts during the pandemic. In 2022, Mr. Prenner designed a necktie with block stripes in the colors of the Ukrainian flag and used the entire proceeds from selling the tie to donate to the International Rescue Committee. While Bob achieved remarkable business success with Ben Silver, the accomplishment he was most proud of was his marriage of 59 years and the family they created together. Robert Alan Prenner was born on August 31, 1941 in Rochester, New York. His father, Arthur Prenner, was in the home heating business. His mother, Martha (Schenfeld) was a homemaker. He attended Monroe High School in Rochester, and then Columbia College in New York City, graduating in 1963. He then graduated from New York University School of Law, in 1966, where he met his wife, Sue Silverman. They married in 1966. His sister, Fraeda Kopman, survives him. Three children, James (Lori), Daniel and Anne Schmidt (Blair) survive him, as do his seven grandchildren, Claudia, Arthur, Ben, Mira, Bree, Elle and Parker.
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