Charles G. Pauli Jr.

Charles G. "Chuck" Pauli Jr., 73, of Fox Chapel, passed away Friday, Dec. 16, 2016. He was formerly CEO and President of Kop-Coat Inc., a Pittsburgh specialty coatings company and President, RPM II Group, RPM International Inc. Mr. Pauli graduated from St. Vincent College in 1964 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. After attending Purdue University's graduate program in industrial management, Chuck joined Koppers Co. Inc. in 1965 as lab chemist and formulator. Chuck progressed through several key functional areas including technical service, sales engineering, marketing and regional sales before becoming vice president and general manager of the Koppers Coating Division in 1987. Less than a year later Beazer PLC, a British construction and homebuilding firm, made an unsolicited $1.8 billion takeover bid for all outstanding common stock of Koppers Co. Realizing Beazer was only interested in the company's road aggregates business and would need to sell Koppers' other assets to fund the attack, Chuck quickly led a management buyout of the Coatings Division with financial help from Koppers executive Burnett Bartley and banker friend John Mason. With PNC Bank becoming the lending facility, Kop-Coat Inc. came into being. Chuck also convinced several managers to participate as bondholders in the venture, realizing they would have a vested interest in the company's success. Two years later, Chuck merged his newly-formed company and its 300 employees with RPM International Inc., a large specialty coatings multinational located in Medina, Ohio. For most of the balance of his career, Chuck not only managed Kop-Coat, but also headed the RPM II Group, a segment consisting of entrepreneurial, niche RPM companies like Kop-Coat, where he directed management on developing long-term growth strategies and acquisitions. In 2010, Chuck retired from active management in Kop-Coat and RPM, later serving in an advisory capacity for all who sought his keen advice. Chuck was affiliated with the Duquesne Club in Pittsburgh, where he was a member of the art committee of which he enjoyed significantly. He was also very fond of animals, always wanting to provide support to help them when he could. He will be sadly missed but not forgotten by all who knew and loved him. Surviving him is his loving wife of 51 years, Marsha Tatrn Pauli; and sisters-in-law, Cheryl (Dan) Gearhart, of Indiana Township, and Deborah (Paul) Hess, of Natrona Heights. He is also survived by his faithful pets, Sweet Pea, Kewpie, Goldie and Little Grey; as well many nieces, nephews and cousins. Preceding him in death were his parents, Charles G. Sr. and Lillian Novak Pauli.
Mr. Pauli's family will receive friends for visitation from 2 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2016, in THE CHARLES B. JARVIE SPRINGDALE FUNERAL HOME INC., 801 Pittsburgh St., PA 15144. Per the request of the family, services and interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed in Chuck's name to West Deer Animal Shelter, 109 E. Union Road, Cheswick, PA 15024, 724-265-3680. Please visit www.jarviefuneralhome.com to send condolences or order flowers for Mr. Pauli Jr.