Sydney was a giant in supplying visual art to New Orleans. I loved running into him both in New Orleans and New York. He loved going to Chelsea to check out the most current art exhibitions.
His curiosity about art was insatiable. I will miss him.
- Sally Heller
He was a brilliant man in business and in the arts. His generosity to the New Orleans Museum of Art will be remembered for generations into the future. He will be missed.
- George Greenberg & Dale Aronson
I worked for him @ K&B for 3 1/2 years until he sold it to Rite Aid he was a great man to work for R I P .
- Paulette Chiasson
Thank you for your beautiful outdoor vision that is the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden at NOMA. It is truly a special gift for all to enjoy.
- NOMA Staff Member
Sydney was one of my late husbands best friends and a neighbor! The friendship continued until
My husband passed away! Sydney was a good friend,good citizen and a true philanthropist! He will be missed but he will leave behind a wonderful legacy for this community’
- Carol B. Wise
Thank you for your generous donations to the NOMA Sculpture Garden. The Garden is a wonderful place to think about these works of art.
Thanks too for providing quality merchandise at K &B. I still have Christmas dish towels which I bought at your Marrero K&B. I use them every day. They are the best.
- Ruth Autin
Our daughter was married in the Besthoff Sculpture Garden in March, 2022. We could not have had a more beautiful setting for the ceremony and the Second Line. Grateful for the generosity.
- Gail
Sydney has long been my treasured mentor in both business and the visual arts…more than that, he is a treasured friend.
His legacy to New Orleans in both business and the arts is immense…his was a life well lived both substantively and ethically. We are all better for it. I personally will most miss that effervescent twinkle in his eyes when we were together.
- Roger Ogden
We have lost a gem if a New Orleanian. Much love to the family.
- Anne Brinkley
I ran into them at the Bastille Day Parade in Paris, late 80’s. We were enjoying our little paper periscopes for a better view. I knew Walds from ballet, She was big supporter Harvey Hysell and his company. This couple took New Orleans to a new level. Merci beaucoup for your legacy, chers!👌❤️🍾
- Kathleen Trenchard
Thanks to Sydney Besthoff, there are so many public examples of what is right with our city.
- Former NOMA staff member
Sydney was an amazing person ! I co-owned several KB stores many years ago-he was quite 'a force' for a new owner!
He was most of all fair and very helpful to me. The dealings with Sydney gave me the experience I needed regarding other retail tenants.
We thank you for all your many contributions to New Orleans and to me .
Sincerly,
Edward Haspel
- EDWARD HASPEL & ELIZABETH HASPEL
Our family loves the Sculpture Gardens at City Park - thank you for your generosity!
- The Reese Family
I am an Arkansan with a deep love for New Orleans. The Besthoff Sculpture Garden has given me many hours of peace and joy. Thank you New Orleans, NOMA, and Mr. Besthoff.
- Jackson Jones
To the Besthoff family my sincerest condolences. I am sure you are aware what joy it brings any visitor to view the beautiful works of art your family has given to NOMA . Mr. Delgado gave us the lovely museum, but the frosting on the cake is the Besthoff Sculpture Garden. I tell all my out of town friends, "When you come to New Orleans, you cannot miss the Besthoff Sculpture Garden. After the French Quarter it is the jewel that stands out in New Orleans."
My prayers for your lost love one and your family.
- Andrew C. Dodenhoff, LCDR USN (Ret)
Dear Sydney, thank you for kindness, generosity, and continued patronage to our city. Your contributions will long be enjoyed.
- Chad Graci
I will miss you my friend. The pleasure has been all mine.
- Michael Manjarris
Thank you for the beautiful gardens and art works. I love visiting there!
- Jess Palazzolo
Working at Freeport McMoRan I met Mr. Besthoff during Business Council meetings. He was always the kindest man no matter when I’d see him. My thoughts and prayers are with him family. He will surely be missed.
- JoAnn Beninate
Thank you Sydney!
- Mark Roberts
Thank you, Mr. B, for always treating your employees at K&B, including my father and uncle, with respect and learning their names/families/stories. Your compassion and attentiveness even as the CEO to everyone in your employ made an impression on me as a young girl that I employ in my career today. You were the first person I knew with a passion for the arts and encouraged my dad to support my art, sending home crayons and markers. You had one hell of a sense of humor— I remember when my dad came home with his work truck that you ordered specially painted with K&B purple, glitter-flecked boat paint. I was mortified to have him drop me off at school, and now I’d fight someone for the honor to drive it. Thinking fondly of you, always.
- Elizabeth Levy
Sydney, we will miss your sharp mind, warm smile and incredible generosity. Our families friendship goes back many decades. Last year, as we visited NOLA to celebrate our son’s graduation from Tulane, Sydney and Walda treated us to a personal tour of the sculpture garden. We learned so much on that sunny afternoon as Sydney and Walda took several hours of their personal time to share the beauty of the garden with us. Through their dedication and hard work they have brought New Orleans yet another world class destination. The garden is not to be missed on any visit to New Orleans. Sydney, we will miss you greatly. Thank you for everything you gave New Orleans and for your kindness and friendship.
- Will and Tree McKinnon
Thank you for creating such a beautiful place to experience art outdoors. The sculpture garden is truly a gift to New Orleans.
- NOMA Staff Member
Thank you, Sydney, for the incredible gift of the Besthoff Sculpture Garden. New Orleanians are lucky to have such a gem in our own backyard.
- NOMA Staff Member
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