AUSTIN, Robert R.
AUSTIN, NARRAMORE, MICHEL, HUNTOON
Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 4/20/2010 at 13:45:32
"The Fairfield Ledger", Thursday, April 15, 2010, Page 10
AUSTIN, Robert R. -- Robert R. AUSTIN, age 89, passed away Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at SunnyBrook Living Care Center.
Family visitation will be Monday, April 19, 2010 at Behner Funeral Home from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Celebration of Life Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 20, 2010 at the First United Methodist Church, in Fairfield.
Cards and memorials can be made to the First United Methodist Church or SunnyBrook Living Care Center and sent to 1513 Lone Oak Circle, Fairfield, Ia 52556.
Robert was born May 29, 1920 in South English, Iowa to Mr. and Mrs. Louis Raymond AUSTIN.
The family moved to Dubuque, Iowa when he was 5 years old. He graduated from Dubuque Senior High where he was active in athletics.
While in High Schooll and college, he worked at the Dubuque Boat and Boiler Works as a marine draftsman. He is featured today in the Dubuque Historical Society River Front Museum.
Robert worked his entire way through Iowa State University. He was elected to several National Honorary Fraternities including Tau Beta Pi (Engineering Honorary), Phi Mu Alpha (Music Honorary), Scabbard and Blade (Military Honorary), Pi Tau Sigma (Mech. Engr. Honorary). His education was interrupted by World War II where he served as Captain in the U.S. Army Combat Engineers.
Upon graduation from Iowa State University he came to Fairfield and joined The Dexter Company as a design engineer. In addition to graduating as a mechanical engineer, he also secured his license as a professional engineer in the state of Iowa.
In 1954, Philco Corporation bought The Dexter Company and Robert was named General Manager of The Dexter Division in 1956.
In 1961, Ford Motor Co. bought Philco and Ford moved Robert to Watsontown, Pennsylvania to manage their cabinet plant. In 1966 he was promoted to Director of Manufacturing for Philco Ford's Applicance Division in Connersville, Indiana, which put him again over The Dexter Company. He left Ford Motor Co. in 1970 to accept a position of Chief Operating Officer of Addison Products Co., a major manufacturer of heating and air conditioning products, located in Addison, Michigan, Orlando, Florida, Jonesville, Michigan and Garland, Texas.
In 1979 he accepted a position as V.P. of Operation of G.F. Furniture Company headquartered in Youngstown, Ohio. He retired from G.F. in 1986 and formed his own consulting company.
Robert was very active in community affairs wherever he was located. He served on two hospital boards, one bank board, Director of Country Club, Director of Lions and Rotary Club, Member of Masonic Lodge #15, Fairfield School Board, active in Boy Scouts and YMCA. He organized The Fairfield Community Fund.
He was instrumental in bringing new industry to Fairfield and served behind the scenes in promoting the purchase of The Dexter Co. from Ford Motor Co. He was a member of Wit and Wisdom and several other community activities. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church and was very active in church positions. He was Director of McElhinny House Foundation. He served for 18 years on The Dexter Board of Directors.
As a result of his community activity he was named "Fairfield Man of the Year" in 1958.
He leaves his wife Patsy Sue who he married in 1965. He is also survived by 3 children from a previous marriage, John AUSTIN of Stevensville, Montana, Anne NARRAMORE of Clarkston, Washington and Doug AUSTIN of Superior, Montana, 1 sister, Helen MICHEL of Kansas City, Missouri, 1 brother Capt. J.M. AUSTIN of Sault Ste Marie, Michigan, 5 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and 1 sister, Joan HUNTOON.
Copied with permission from The Fairfield Ledger, Inc.
*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.
Jefferson Obituaries maintained by Joey Stark.
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