Robert G. WINGERTER

WINGERTER Robert G. Robert G. Wingerter, age 94, Perrysburg, Ohio, who led Libbey - Owens - Ford Company during a 12-year period of growth and expansion, passed away on Monday, January 3, 2011. He had a 44-year career in glass and automotive-related industries in Ohio and Michigan, and also served on a number of corporate boards in addition to giving service to civic and community organizations. Bob Wingerter was born in Detroit on October 5, 1916 to Hugh and Bertha (Seeger) Wingerter. He grew up in Detroit during difficult economic times and graduated with honors from Denby High School. He attended Wayne State University (then Detroit City College) on scholarship graduating Cum Laude in 1938 with a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering. Thirty years later, in appreciation for the contribution Wayne State made to his career, he endowed the Wingerter Awards. These cash awards are made annually to each of four graduating seniors in the College of Engineering who have demonstrated excellent qualities of character, scholarship, and leadership. Awards have gone to 134 students since 1968 and will continue in the future. Immediately following his college graduation, Wingerter joined Timken Roller Bearing Co., Canton, Ohio, as a trainee sales engineer, and advanced through a number of management positions to become sales director and general manager of the firm's automotive division. In 1963, he joined Rockwell-Standard Corp. in Detroit as president of its' automotive division and a director of the company. Four years later, he was recruited by LOF as president and CEO, with the express mission of diversifying the company and directing the firm's transition into the newly developed float glass manufacturing processes. When he retired in 1979 the company had constructed several new glassmaking facilities and had acquired plastics and fluid power companies. During his business career, Wingerter was on the board of directors of LOF, Toledo Trust Co., Toledo Edison and Marathon Oil Company. He held numerous civic posts, including serving on the board of regents for Capital University, as chairman of a YWCA renovation campaign, chairman of the board of trustees for the Libbey Estates Endowments, president of the Toledo Museum of Art, and 1974 chairman of the Toledo Community Chest and United Way. He was also a trustee or director of several national organizations including The American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, the American Defense Preparedness Association, the Society of Automotive Engineers, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Tau Beta Pi. He graduated from Columbia University's advanced management program in 1955. He received an honorary doctorate in laws from Capital University in 1967. His memberships included the Belmont Country Club, Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, FL, the Toledo Club, the Toledo Answer Club, the Newcomen Society of North America, the Automotive Old Timers, and as an honorary member of the Toledo Rotary Club. Bob Wingerter was an avid golfer, skier, fisherman, and traveler. He held a keen interest in competitive sports, earning varsity letters in baseball, golf, and tennis in high school and was captain of his university's golf team two of the three years he lettered. He held a 2 or 3 golf handicap through age 50 and won a number of club championships. Mr. Wingerter is survived by his wife, the former Dorothy E. Dipman, who is also a Wayne State graduate. They were married on August 5, 1939 at Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in Detroit where both had been members since childhood. They have been members of Zoar Lutheran Church, Perrysburg, since 1968. Also surviving are daughters, Gail E. Sponseller and Janice R. Dixon. He was preceded in death by a son, Robert H. Wingerter. The Wingerters have five grandchildren: Leslie (Carl) Patron, Dr. Sarah J. Magoun (James), Ericka N. Wingerter, Stephen R. Sponseller, and Robert T. Wingerter and four great-grandchildren: Henry, Jake and Kate Magoun, and Ned Patron. Friends will be received from 3-7 P.M. on Thursday, January 6, 2011, in the Witzler-Shank Funeral Home, 222 E South Boundary St., Perrysburg (419-874-3133). Visitation will continue at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, January 7, 2011, at Zoar Lutheran Church, 314 East Indiana Avenue in Perrysburg with funeral services beginning at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Timothy P. Philabaum officiating. Burial will be at Fort Meigs Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Zoar Lutheran Church Music Fund and Cherry Street Missions. Condolences may be made directly to the family by visiting www.witzlershank.com