Zanger revolutionized the use of the material within North America. He started Walker Zanger in 1953 with partner Marvin Walker, importing marble from Portugal and pioneered the use of the material for tabletops. In 1963, Zanger began importing stone tiles to the U.S., breaking open the stone tile market in residential settings. The company grew from there, expanding to find unique products so designers and homeowners can create their boldest visions and unconventional designs. This pursuit has led Walker Zanger worldwide to find the most unique, original, and thought-provoking tile and stone materials that open the door to exciting new design possibilities. Zanger was an integral role player in some of Walker Zanger’s most famous projects, including sourcing historically-accurate Italian stone for J. Paul Getty’s Villa in Malibu, California.

Leon Zanger’s son, Jonathan Zanger, and daughter, Claudia Springer, said: “He founded Walker Zanger almost 70 years ago, and although the great love of his life was our mother, Hanna, and his family, his second love was the company he built, the people he employed, and the friendships he made among clients and suppliers, around the world. He always told us that his proudest achievement was that the company that bears his name supported countless hundreds, and even thousands, of families, over the decades.”