Gaymont, Stephen A.
Stephen A. Gaymont (1905-1994), was a Hungarian-born bacteriologist who is credited as having introduced yogurt to the United States in the early 1940s. Wikipedia's page on Yogurt says "Yogurt was first introduced to the United States in the first decade of the twentieth century," and does not credit Dr. Gaymont. There's a 30 year discrepancy.
This needs more research.
Gaymont was resident of Palm Beach, Fla., and Chicago, he died in Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
The cause of death was an aortic aneurysm, his family said.
Dr. Gaymont was also credited with inventing frozen yogurt as well as marketing the first yogurt with fruit added to it.
He was the founder and retired president of Gaymont Laboratories Inc., which produced the culture that enabled more than 500 companies to make a product that has the taste of sour cream but only one-sixth the calories.
Dr. Gaymont obtained a doctorate in bacteriology from the University of Pecs in Hungary. Dr. Gaymont also studied dairy science at the University of Heidelberg in Germany. While in college, he was the fencing champion of Europe and would have been in the Olympics if he had not caught the flu. His teammate won the gold medal.
He fled Europe ahead of the Nazis and came to the United States in 1939 on a special visa obtained through Henry Wallace, who later served as vice president under President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
He started his laboratory company in New York and moved it to Chicago in 1944.
Dr. Gaymont started Gaymont Laboratories in New York and moved it to Chicago in 1944.
Dr. Gaymont told a Tribune reporter in 1962 that he didn't realize until too late that the name "yogurt," was "horrible" and "outlandish." Sales of the product, however, grew as this country became more health and calorie conscious.
His name as well as his product became popular in Chicago as he appeared frequently on radio and TV talk shows to discuss nutrition, health and his Hungarian roots.
Dr. Gaymont invented frozen yogurt, which he marketed under the name, "yogo." He was the first to produce whipped cream cheese, pre-made dairy dips, and low-fat sour cream.
He revolutionized the dairy business by introducing bacteriological health-control methods.
He served as chairman of the Chicago Health Department's Dairy Advisory Board in Mayor Richard J. Daley's administration.
He was former president of Lite Food Products Inc., a subsidiary of Meister Brau Inc. He was also a partner in Frank Ryser Co., once America's largest manufacturer of gourmet cheese.
Survivors include his wife, Lenore; a daughter, Eve Sparberg; two sons, Stephen Jr. and Gregory; and four grandchildren.
Dr. Gaymont lived at 2064 W. Pratt Boulevard.
