Founder Missing in Men’s Wearhouse Deal for Jos. A. Bank

The man who inadvertently lit the fuse that led to the hottest takeover battle in years was left unmentioned in the announcement of a $1.8 billion merger of two once-warring men's suits chains. Despite repeated inquiries from reporters, George Zimmer, the genial, bearded founder of Men's Wearhouse, has been almost entirely absent from public view during six months of bids, counter bids, lawsuits and invective that were furiously lobbed back and forth by his former company and Jos. A. Bank Clothiers. Ending the hostilities, Men's Wearhouse agreed on Tuesday to buy its rival for $65 a share in cash.