Madison Allen Self

Madison Allen Self passed away on January 13, 2013 at the age of 91. Mr. Self was commonly known as "Al" by his friends and business associates, except for his Self family relatives who have remained loyal to his boyhood nickname, Matt. Al was born in Ozawkie, Kansas. He spent his boyhood years on the family farm and attended a one-room grade school nearby. He attended high school in Meriden, Kansas and on graduation in 1939 served as class valedictorian. He graduated from The University of Kansas in 1943 with a bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering. Al met his wife, Lila (nee Reetz), in college. They were married soon after his graduation and celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary last September. In 1947, Al co-founded Bee Chemical Company in Chicago and served as the company's CEO over a 37 year period (prior to its sale to Morton Thiokol in 1985). Bee Chemical Company grew from a staff of 3 people to a sizable company with several manufacturing locations in the US and international operations in Japan, Canada and England. Bee Chemical became a leader in developing and supplying polymer coatings and transfer finishes designed for application on plastics for automotive and numerous other industrial uses. After the sale of Bee, Al founded Allen Financial, Inc. and served as President until his death. In 1989, he joined with three associates and founded and served as Chairman and CEO of Tioga International, Inc., a diversified research and development company that supplied industrial sealants, plastic extrusions and related products for numerous industrial uses. Tioga International was sold in 1999. Al is a past International President of the Young Presidents' Organization, has served as Chairman of the Chief Executives Organization and was a founding member of the World Presidents Organization - professional associations that provide their members with opportunities for education and idea exchange. He is a past Director of the Illinois Manufacturers Association. He is a past President of the National hearing Association. He is a Life Trustee and Regent of the Illinois Institute of Technology. Al has maintained a lifelong interest in education and leadership development. Al and Lila created and provided endowed funding to support two leadership fellowship programs at their Alma Mater, the University of Kansas; the Madison and Lila Self Graduate Fellowship Program for doctoral students, and The SELF Engineering Leadership Fellows Program at the School of Engineering for undergraduate students. They also initiated and provided endowed funding to establish the Leadership Academy at the Illinois Institute of Technology for undergraduate students. Al was awarded a Distinguished Service Citation by the University of Kansas and the KU Alumni Association, the university's highest honor. He also received the Distinguished Engineering Service Award from the School of Engineering at KU. In 2010, Al was recognized as a Life Trustee of the KU Endowment Association. Al received an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters and Science from the Illinois Institute of Technology. He served as a trustee or a life trustee for many years and has served as a Regent of the Illinois Institute of Technology. In 2007, Al was presented the first annual "Al Self Award" by the Chicago Chapter of World Presidents' Organization for lifetime contributions and achievements. Al spent most of his working years living in the Chicago area since 1947 and resided in Hinsdale since 1966. Al is preceded in death by his son, Murray. Al is survived by his loving wife, Lila, his daughter-in-law, Anne (Mueller), two grandsons; Milo and Aran. Funeral Service Sat. January 26th 2013 at 10:00am at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home 601 Indiana Lawrence Kansas 66044, 1-800-369-8858. Memorial service will be held Sat. February 2, 2013 11:00am at Christ Church of Oak Brook 60523, 630-654-1882. Local arrangements by Gibbons Elliston FH 630-323-0275, www.gibbonsellistonfuneralhome.com