Carl Hirsch Obituary
Carl Herbert Hirsch
August 24, 1934 - May 5, 2025
Carl Herbert Hirsch passed away Monday, May 5, 2025. Born in Pontiac, Michigan, to Charlotte and Robert Hirsch, he moved with his parents to Maumee, Ohio, at the age of 10, where he graduated from Maumee High School. Subsequently he graduated from the University of Michigan with a BSME degree. While at Michigan, Carl became a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. He was inducted into Scabbard & Blade, a military honor society. Upon graduating from Michigan, Carl was commissioned in the U.S. Navy and served several years on shipboard duty with the Sixth Fleet and completed his active-duty service as a Lieutenant (jg). Upon completing his service, he returned to Ohio to begin working for Babcock & Wilcox in Akron, Ohio. During this time, Carl married Anne Louise Dearing, his inspiration and love for all of his living years. Soon after marriage, Carl and Anne returned to Toledo to begin a 38-year career with the Dana Corporation. His first assignment was as a Plant Engineer in the Spicer Transmission Plant in Toledo. Over the years of Carl's career with Dana he held numerous executive leadership positions in division management, as well as corporate management, including a four year assignment in Valencia, Venezuela. As President of C.A. Danaven, Carl was responsible for launching the manufacturing operations of Dana in Venezuela. While in Venezuela, Carl was presented the "Orden al Merito en el Trabajo" award by the Minister of Industry. In addition he received the "Sol de Carabobo" award from the Governor of the State of Carabobo. When Carl retired from Dana in 1998 he held the positions of President, Dana International and Executive Vice President of Dana Corporation.
In addition to his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan, Carl received both an MBA and MIE graduate degrees from the University of Toledo. He also completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University and was a Registered Professional Engineer licensed in the State of Michigan.
During the years Carl was active in the business world of Dana, he served as a director on the boards of numerous affiliates of Dana as well as a director on several non-Dana boards including Sivensa S.A.'s subsidiary IBH Holdings in Caracas, Venezuela, and Brazeway, Inc. in Adrian, Michigan.
As Carl and his family were relocated to different locations during his career, he was active in the communities where they lived. He served on many community boards including Junior Achievement of Northwestern Ohio, the Child Abuse Prevention Center, WGTE/PBS, the board of trustees of Maumee Valley Country Day School, the Industry Advisory Committee for the University of Michigan, College of Engineering and the Industry Advisory Committee for the University of Toledo, College of Engineering. In addition to these responsibilities, Carl was an instructor in the night school programs at Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana, and the University of Toledo College of Engineering.
Carl was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church of Maumee, as well as an Associate Member of the various Presbyterian Churches in communities where Carl and his family lived throughout his career.
Carl loved his work and the people with whom he worked. He loved the international travel and the cultures of the people with whom he had the pleasure to work with, in Dana's affiliates and customer base in more than 30 countries. His support system was provided by his loving and caring wife, Anne, of 65 years. Anne traveled frequently with Carl and joined Carl in gatherings with affiliates and customers. Carl knew that Anne was a charming ambassador for Dana and that the affiliates always looked forward to her visits more than his.
Carl loved people, and they loved him. He especially loved and respected his wife, Anne, and two sons, Jeff and Gregg. He also treasured his time and extensive travels with them which they continued after Carl's retirement from Dana. He strived hard throughout his life to be a great husband and father, and to set a good example for his family; for them to follow and of which they all could be proud.
Carl and Anne were members of The Toledo Country Club, Stone Oak Country Club, Boca Grande Club and Lemon Bay Golf Club. They were active tennis and/or golf members at the previously named clubs. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Albert; his wife, Anne; and sadly his son, Jeffrey; and grandson, Wesely. Left to cherish his memory are his son, Gregory Scott Hirsch (Laura); daughter-in-law, Joy Mostad Hirsch; and four grandchildren, William, Caroline, Alec; sister, Anne Louise Corbey; and several nieces and nephews.
At Carl's request, services will be held in private. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to: The Jeffrey Todd Hirsch Scholarship Fund at St. John's Jesuit High School, Toledo, Ohio; The Toledo Museum of Art; or the charity of donor's choice.
Published by The Blade on May 11, 2025.