Midwest Furniture Club Remembers Marty Sobel
Furniture World News Desk on
2/19/2026
CHICAGO – The Midwest Furniture Club is honoring the life and contributions of Martin Ira “Marty” Sobel, a longtime member and past president of the organization, who passed away on January 25, 2026, at age 87.
Sobel began his career in the apparel industry before entering the furniture business in 1965. He worked in the industry for decades before retiring around 2020 and remained active in the Midwest Furniture Club during his retirement.
“Marty was very important to our furniture club and our efforts to do as much good as we can for our industry,” says Geoff Weed, current Midwest Furniture Club President. “He was a giant to us. Legendary for being the right kind of skeptic and demanding we do our best. When I started with the Club, Marty was the pinnacle of thoroughness. If Marty was on-board you knew it was going well.”
Sobel served as president of the Midwest Furniture Club and supported the organization’s annual charity golf outing, which honors members of the club.
In 2012, Sobel received the Rudy Steltemeir Award from IHFRA in recognition of his service. He also served as president of IHFRA’s Midwest Chapter and was the first member of that chapter to receive the Dean of IHFRA award. In addition, he received the Midwest Presidential Service Award twice.
In 2024, the Midwest Furniture Club established the Sobel and Serck Award, named for Marty Sobel and Arthur Serck. The award recognizes a current member whose professionalism and work have contributed to the furniture business in the Midwest. The most recent honorees were Brad Cofoid and Bill van Kat.
Sobel was known for mentoring young professionals entering the industry. Throughout his career, he established mentoring efforts for new sales representatives working with the manufacturers he represented.
“Long after I started, I treasured the conversations Marty and I had one on one. He was the kind of gentleman who could disagree with you and you still enjoyed the talk. He was genuinely interested in seeing his friends succeed. So many of us are in Marty’s debt for the time and generosity he showed in sharing his skills and knowledge with the rest of us, “ remembers Weed.
Sobel was married to his wife, Marilyn Sobel, for 63 years. He is survived by his three children and seven grandchildren.