Floyd D. Gottwald Jr.

1922 - 2022

GOTTWALD, Floyd D., Jr., former Chairman of Albemarle Corporation, died January 27, 2022.

Floyd Gottwald, known by many as "Bill," was born July 29, 1922 to Ann C. and Floyd D. Gottwald Sr. He grew up in the Fulton neighborhood of Richmond, graduated from John Marshall High School and went on to the Virginia Military Institute, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in chemistry in 1943. Almost immediately after graduation, he began work as a chemist at the then Albemarle Paper Manufacturing Company in Richmond. It is recorded that in the year he was born, his father purchased an initial five shares of stock in that company, a significant beginning to a family legacy in which Floyd would play a major role.

During his years with Albemarle, Floyd advanced to production manager, corporate secretary, vice president and president. He was elected executive vice president of Ethyl Corporation in 1962 when the Albemarle Paper Manufacturing Company acquired Ethyl in a historic business acquisition, referred to by Forbes as "Jonah Swallowing the Whale." He served as vice chairman of the board of Ethyl from 1964 to 1968 and as chief executive officer from 1970 to 1992.

In 1994, Ethyl spun off its specialty chemical business as Albemarle Corporation and Floyd became its first chairman and chief executive officer. He served as chairman of Albemarle until 2001 and as chief executive officer until 2002. He was elected Chairman Emeritus of Albemarle Corporation in 2007.

Floyd was a veteran of World War II and was awarded both a Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal. His Bronze Star was awarded with a "V" for valor, a distinction given for participation in acts of heroism involving conflict with an armed enemy. He received these honors while serving as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army in the China-Burma-India Theatre.

Floyd had a passion for the outdoors. A hunter and an avid fisherman, he enjoyed time on the Pamunkey River, in the Florida Keys and fishing the Gulfstream. Floyd won the Masters Angling Tournament in 1976, a contest that awards an angler for his ability to hook, catch and release an Atlantic sailfish. He was an early member of the Virginia Angler's Club in Richmond and a trustee emeritus of the International Game Fish Association.

Throughout his life, Floyd was active in civic and professional organizations. He served as president of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the Virginia Military Institute Foundation and he served on the boards of trustees of the University of Richmond, the College of William and Mary and the George C. Marshall Research Foundation. He also was a member of the Country Club of Virginia, the Commonwealth Club and the Alfalfa Club of Washington, D.C.

Floyd was a former director of Ethyl Corporation, Tredegar Corporation, First Colony Life Insurance Company, Reid Provident and its successor, Reid-Rowell, CSX Corporation, the Council for Financial Aid to Education, the National Association of Manufacturers, the Chemical Manufacturers Association and the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. He was a member of The Conference Board and the Virginia Business Council.

In 1977, Floyd was honored by the graduate school of business at the College of William and Mary with its Medallion Award. In 1983, he was cited by the University of Richmond as a Doctor of Commercial Science. He received an honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1986. He was honored as a Doctor of Laws by Virginia Union University in 1990. Later that year, He was recognized by the Science Museum of Virginia as Outstanding Industrialist. He received an honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from the College of William and Mary in 1992. In the spring of 1996, he received the Trustees' Distinguished Service Award from the University of Richmond and in 1999, he was elected to the Greater Richmond Business Hall of Fame.

In May of 2017, Floyd was honored with the Outstanding Virginian Award. This award recognized him for his exceptional contributions to the Commonwealth. During the presentation it was said, "Floyd Gottwald is a true man of action – the quintessential example of what is meant by 'the greatest generation.' As a businessman and philanthropist, he has made enormous contributions and the world is a better place because of his innovation and generosity."

Floyd is survived by his wife of 17 years, Helga Koch Gottwald. He was the widower of Elisabeth Shelton Gottwald, who died in 2002; and he is survived by their three sons, Dr. William M. Gottwald (Connie), James T. Gottwald (Nancy) and John D. Gottwald (Meg), all of Richmond. He is survived by eight grandchildren, Michael Gottwald (Jeanie), Beth Gottwald, Matt Gottwald (Sydney), Sally Poole (Christian), Sam Gottwald (Emily), James Gottwald (Hunter), Chase Gottwald, Addie Gottwald (Nasser); and seven great-grandchildren; three stepchildren, Elizabeth Hyman (Chris), Alicia Sacks (Jeff), Lee Andrews (Diane); eight stepgrandchildren, Leesa Gregory (Gordon), Jill Witty Evarts (Graham), Toddy Jordan (Win), Emma, Stewart and Kitchy Hyman, Jamie Sacks, Chris Andrews; and seven stepgreat-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Bruce C. Gottwald Sr. (Nancy), of Richmond.

A public Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date.

The family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the VMI Foundation, The Collegiate Schools, or to a charity of your choice.

Online condolences and tributes may be left on blileys.com.