Thomas ‘Tom’ Hufziger
July 17, 2018 at 4:21 p.m.
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He was born Feb. 20, 1929, in Weehawken, N.J., to Otto Sr. and Edna Gregg Hufziger. He, along with his family, which also consisted of two brothers, Otto Jr. and Donald, lived in Huber Heights, Dayton and eventually settling in Vandalia, Ohio.
He was a 1947 graduate of Butler High School, Vandalia, and graduated from General Motor Institute (now Ketterling University) in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science in the Cooperative Engineering Program as an industrial engineer. It was as a GMI graduate that his lifetime loyalty to GM cars was established.
He faithfully served his country during the Korean War in the U.S. Army and worked as an intelligence specialist from 1951 to 1956.
After leaving the service, Tom was employed in 1956 by Inland Manufacturing Division of GM, where he authored an automotive rubber book that he said was great reading before bed. From there, he tried his hand as an entrepreneur and owned a tool business but eventually took a position with U.S. Rubber’s plastic division Development Lab (later known as Uniroyal) in Mishawaka in 1962, then transferred to the Warsaw plant in the 1964 and becoming manager of it. From there, Tom took a director position at Zimmer USA in 1973 and with subsequent promotions finally retiring as the vice president of manufacturing in 1992. Other notable accomplishments include multiple awards, certifications and patents in the engineering and manufacturing fields.
He served the Warsaw community by being on the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and helping on community projects.
On June 15, 1963, in Troy, Ohio, he was united in marriage to his faithful partner, Hazel McDonald, whom he adored until his passing. They enjoyed traveling together around many areas in the U.S. as well as globally.
In addition to travel, Tom was a lover of cherry pies, breakfast foods, roller coasters, fresh tomatoes, historical novels and golf with his buddies. He enjoyed musicals of his age, with “The Music Man” being his favorite. Many Sunday mornings were spent with him singing show tunes and flipping pancakes before church.
In his younger days, he was licensed pilot and flew his own biplane sometimes to his beloved mother’s chagrin. He enjoyed watching college basketball and football games on TV while placing an occasional bet with family members. He relished watching and supporting his children and grandchildren in their chosen activities as well.
Survivors include his wife, Hazel; a son and two daughters: Doug Hufziger, Deborah (Chad) German and Dalene (Brent) Binkley, all born and raised in Warsaw. In addition, there are six grandchildren: Mikayla, Marissa and Miranda German and Caleb, Caden and Alana Binkley, whom he adored and they adored him. He was blessed to have a large extended family with numerous nephews and nieces. Dachshunds Lucy and Rosie will miss his lap.
His parents and brothers have preceded him in death and have been waiting for him.
Tom was a devoted and, in turn, beloved son, brother, husband, father and grandfather. His great sense of humor drew people in but his compassionate heart helped many people find better lives.
A graveside service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 21, in Pineville (Ky.) Cemetery with full military honors.
McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw, is entrusted with arrangements.
*****
Memorials to a charity of your choice or to Alzheimer research, as Tom’s children would like to see this disease eradicated in their lifetime.
To leave condolences electronically, go to mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com.
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He was born Feb. 20, 1929, in Weehawken, N.J., to Otto Sr. and Edna Gregg Hufziger. He, along with his family, which also consisted of two brothers, Otto Jr. and Donald, lived in Huber Heights, Dayton and eventually settling in Vandalia, Ohio.
He was a 1947 graduate of Butler High School, Vandalia, and graduated from General Motor Institute (now Ketterling University) in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science in the Cooperative Engineering Program as an industrial engineer. It was as a GMI graduate that his lifetime loyalty to GM cars was established.
He faithfully served his country during the Korean War in the U.S. Army and worked as an intelligence specialist from 1951 to 1956.
After leaving the service, Tom was employed in 1956 by Inland Manufacturing Division of GM, where he authored an automotive rubber book that he said was great reading before bed. From there, he tried his hand as an entrepreneur and owned a tool business but eventually took a position with U.S. Rubber’s plastic division Development Lab (later known as Uniroyal) in Mishawaka in 1962, then transferred to the Warsaw plant in the 1964 and becoming manager of it. From there, Tom took a director position at Zimmer USA in 1973 and with subsequent promotions finally retiring as the vice president of manufacturing in 1992. Other notable accomplishments include multiple awards, certifications and patents in the engineering and manufacturing fields.
He served the Warsaw community by being on the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and helping on community projects.
On June 15, 1963, in Troy, Ohio, he was united in marriage to his faithful partner, Hazel McDonald, whom he adored until his passing. They enjoyed traveling together around many areas in the U.S. as well as globally.
In addition to travel, Tom was a lover of cherry pies, breakfast foods, roller coasters, fresh tomatoes, historical novels and golf with his buddies. He enjoyed musicals of his age, with “The Music Man” being his favorite. Many Sunday mornings were spent with him singing show tunes and flipping pancakes before church.
In his younger days, he was licensed pilot and flew his own biplane sometimes to his beloved mother’s chagrin. He enjoyed watching college basketball and football games on TV while placing an occasional bet with family members. He relished watching and supporting his children and grandchildren in their chosen activities as well.
Survivors include his wife, Hazel; a son and two daughters: Doug Hufziger, Deborah (Chad) German and Dalene (Brent) Binkley, all born and raised in Warsaw. In addition, there are six grandchildren: Mikayla, Marissa and Miranda German and Caleb, Caden and Alana Binkley, whom he adored and they adored him. He was blessed to have a large extended family with numerous nephews and nieces. Dachshunds Lucy and Rosie will miss his lap.
His parents and brothers have preceded him in death and have been waiting for him.
Tom was a devoted and, in turn, beloved son, brother, husband, father and grandfather. His great sense of humor drew people in but his compassionate heart helped many people find better lives.
A graveside service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 21, in Pineville (Ky.) Cemetery with full military honors.
McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw, is entrusted with arrangements.
*****
Memorials to a charity of your choice or to Alzheimer research, as Tom’s children would like to see this disease eradicated in their lifetime.
To leave condolences electronically, go to mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com.
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