John WADSWORTH

WADSWORTH John S. Wadsworth, retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Littleford Day Inc., of Florence, Kentucky, died on November 19, 2004 in Naples, Florida. Mr. Wadsworth transformed Littleford, a 150-year old family owned private company, from a road maintenance machinery manufacturer into a producer of high speed, sophisticated, industrial, mixing machinery. In 1996, the company published a book - LITTLEFORD: THE DYNAMICS OF AN AMERICAN BUSINESS - on its history in which Mr. Wadsworth was described as respected by all who know him for his experience, energy, clear-sightedness, business acumen, resourcefulness, judgment of character, fair-mindedness, candor and wit . He retired as Chairman in 1990. According to his family, the cause of death was complications associated with old age. He had passed his 91st birthday in August of this year. Scotch, as he was known to his many friends, was a long time resident of Fort Thomas, Kentucky, whre the Wadsworth family lived for over three generations. After his retirement, he moved permanently to Naples and became a resident of Florida. Mr. Wadsworth was always active in community affairs and local politics. In the early 1960's, he was a founder and chairman of the COMMITTEE OF 500, a group dedicated to clean government in Northern Kentucky. To demonstrate public support for its cause, they ran George Ratterman for Sheriff of Campbell County on a platform to clean up local politics. Ratterman was abducted and framed by the local gang leading to a spectacular trial where he was ultimately acquitted. His acquittal and ultimate election lead to a new era of good government and economic development which are still benefiting the people of Northern Kentucky today. In the 1980's, he turned his attention to beach re-nourishment in Naples, Florida. Due to the force of nature and lack of local government attention, the Gulf Shore beaches of Naples from Gordon Pass to Doctor's Pass had so sriously eroded that their enjoyment by local residents and visitors was seriously impaired. He became an expert on the technical and financial aspects of beach re-nourishment and lived to see the completion of the project in 1995. Mr. Wadsworth graduated from Highlands High School in Fort Thomas, Kentucky in 1932. He was a top student, a leader in his class and captain of the football team his senior year. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1936. At Wisconsin, he was President of his sophomore class and President of the Chi Psi Lodge, a social fraternity. During his presidency, the Wisconsin chapter of Chi Psi was awarded the Thayer Trophy for being the best chapter in the USA. Scotch often reminisced how proud he was to go to New York to accept the tribute on behalf of his fellow fraternity brothers. Upon graduation from Wisconsin, he joined another family company, the Wadsworth Watch Case Company in Dayton, Kentucky. He worked his way up the ladder from the factory floor whee he started as a lathe operator to President in 1950. During World War II, Wadsworth Watch Case converted its entire factory to war production, and under Scotch's leadership, won numerous awards for its production of parts for the M1 rifle. As was typical across America then, it was the Wadsworth way of contributing to the mobilization of the Nation's productive capacity which helped the war effort succeed. Under his leadership, the company was ultimately sold to the Elgin Watch Company. In 1955, Elgin closed the Wadsworth factory in response to foreign competition and Mr. Wadsworth moved to Littleford as President. All his life Scotch was a devoted family man, a Midwestern industrialist committed to insuring the competitiveness of "heartland" manufacturing, a passionate golfer and outdoors-man. As a businessman and community leader, he was always dedicated to the highest moral and ethical values. He was Chairman of the Greens Committee at the Hole-in-the-Wall Golf Club, a member of the Nales Yacht Club, a member of the Gyro and Commonwealth Clubs in Cincinnati and a member of the Cincinnati Country Club.John S. Wadsworth was born in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, August 30, 1913. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mary Claire Walker Wadsworth, his son, John S. Wadsworth, Jr. of San Francisco and his daughter, Jamee Wadsworth Todd of Pittsburgh; five grandchildren and eight great grand children, including John S. Wadsworth, IV of Newport Beach, California. Friends will be received by the family at the Naples Yacht Club, Naples, Florida between 4 P.M. and 6 P.M. on Friday, November 26th, 2004. Contributions in lieu of flowers may be sent to The Fort Thomas Education Foundation (Highlands Capital Campaign), P.O. Box 75090, Fort Thomas, Kentucky 41075, or to the charity of your choice.