Herb Kahan, Regal Fabrics Founder, 91
December 4, 2025
Herb Kahan
MIDDLETON, MA (USA)--Herb Kahan, Founder and CEO of Regal Fabrics, Inc., passed away Tuesday night, December 2, at the age of 91.
Herb loved nothing more than his family, his work, and the many friends he made through close to 70 years in the fabric business.
He was known throughout the industry for his infectious energy and passion, his smile, and his ability to talk about anything with anyone. "He treated everyone fairly, dedicating his life and his efforts to doing his job right, creating win-win situations for customers, suppliers, employees, and friends," said Andy Kahan, a grandson.
Soon after serving in the U.S. Army, Herb met and married his wife of 60 years Arlene, who preceded him in death in 2017. After 30+ years of learning the fabric business from the ground up, Herb and Arlene started their own upholstery fabric convertor, Regal Fabrics, in 1987 and were soon joined by son Steven and daughter Ronda, who continue to run the business alongside Herb's grandsons Scott and Andy. "It is a testament to Herb’s leadership and dedication that so many of Regal’s employees and reps have been with the company for 10, 20, 30+ years, and that Regal has grown to be a trusted supplier for so many customers throughout the world" andy said.
A passionate sports fan, an avid traveler, a devoted husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather, and a friend to all--Herb will be missed by anyone who had the pleasure of knowing him including Eric Schneider, publisher of F&FI. "We go back to 1987, when our beloved Herb and Arlene started Regal. There was never a person who was more friendly, consistently upbeat and steady in his commitment to people than Herb."
As part of last year’s celebration for Herb’s 90th birthday during Interwoven, Herb sat down to tell the story of his life and of Regal Fabrics – click here to learn more of his story in his own words.
Further details on Herb’s planned services can be found here: https://www.goldmanfc.com/memorials/herbert-kahan/5663766/
Herb loved nothing more than his family, his work, and the many friends he made through close to 70 years in the fabric business.
He was known throughout the industry for his infectious energy and passion, his smile, and his ability to talk about anything with anyone. "He treated everyone fairly, dedicating his life and his efforts to doing his job right, creating win-win situations for customers, suppliers, employees, and friends," said Andy Kahan, a grandson.
Soon after serving in the U.S. Army, Herb met and married his wife of 60 years Arlene, who preceded him in death in 2017. After 30+ years of learning the fabric business from the ground up, Herb and Arlene started their own upholstery fabric convertor, Regal Fabrics, in 1987 and were soon joined by son Steven and daughter Ronda, who continue to run the business alongside Herb's grandsons Scott and Andy. "It is a testament to Herb’s leadership and dedication that so many of Regal’s employees and reps have been with the company for 10, 20, 30+ years, and that Regal has grown to be a trusted supplier for so many customers throughout the world" andy said.
A passionate sports fan, an avid traveler, a devoted husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather, and a friend to all--Herb will be missed by anyone who had the pleasure of knowing him including Eric Schneider, publisher of F&FI. "We go back to 1987, when our beloved Herb and Arlene started Regal. There was never a person who was more friendly, consistently upbeat and steady in his commitment to people than Herb."
As part of last year’s celebration for Herb’s 90th birthday during Interwoven, Herb sat down to tell the story of his life and of Regal Fabrics – click here to learn more of his story in his own words.
Further details on Herb’s planned services can be found here: https://www.goldmanfc.com/memorials/herbert-kahan/5663766/
