Gene Schalk Retiring from Fostoria Industries
August 10, 1997, article one

PIX #1 - GENE SCHALK

In October of 1958 Fostoria Pressed Steel hired a young man to fill an engineering position. In September of 1997, after 39 years, that engineer, having risen to the rank of company president, will retire from the business we know today as Fostoria Industries.

Gene Schalk will step down after 22 years as president of Fostoria Industries, a leading manufacturer of industrial lighting and infrared heating equipment.

At a recent board meeting, Fostoria Industries elected Gene vice chairman of the board, effective Oct. 1. In his new position, he will serve as an advisor and consultant to local management.

"The time is right," said Gene of his retirement. "I feel we have a capable management team in place to move the company forward and take it to new heights."

Bill Eibner will replace him as president and general manager. Bill has been with the company since 1988 as process heat division manager and was appointed executive vice president in 1995.

"Obviously, it is a formidable task to carry on the tradition that Gene started," said Bill. "But we believe we have the team to do that."

"It has made me proud to see the company grow and prosper, to be able to provide good-paying jobs to the community and to be a good corporate citizen," said Gene. "We were able to accomplish this as a result of a dedicated group of hourly and salaried employees committed to advancement in all their areas of expertise, whether it be engineering, sales, marketing or manufacturing."

Gene is a native Fostorian and a 1950 graduate of St. Wendelin High School. He graduated in 1955 from the University of Detroit with a degree in electrical engineering..

Following graduation, Gene took a position with National Carbon in Clarksburg, W.Va.

He was in the Reserve Officers Training Corps in college and entered the Air Force as a first lieutenant. He was stationed in Greenville, S.C. and from June 1956 until Nov. 1957 he was stationed at Sumter.

Late in his college career, Gene was a student intern with the Philco company in Sandusky. There he chanced to meet a young woman named Betty Herb.

They married in September of 1955 and today Gene and Betty have five children: Linda Schalk, Marcia (and husband Brad) Walters, Sandra (and Chris) Donahoe, Jeffry (and Stacy) Schalk and Nicholas (and Berenice) Schalk. They have four grandsons and three granddaughters.

After his stint in the Air Force, Gene returned to National Carbon in Clarksburg. Then, in October 1958, Gene joined the old Fostoria Pressed Steel. By 1975 he had assumed the duties of company president, succeeding Ray Green. In those 22 years, he has successfully guided Fostoria Industries through major changes in manufacturing and sales.

"I will miss the day-to-day challenges," said Gene. "The buck has stopped at my desk for 22 years. It no longer will. I'll miss the daily interaction with all our employees. I guess it's for that reason I plan to stay active within the company. My interest will always be with Fostoria Industries."

Throughout the years Gene has been a steady contributor to the spiritual, economic and civic life of Fostoria. He serves on the board of Fostoria Industries, TPI (Fostoria Industries' parent company) and Roppe Corp.

He is a past board member of the United Way and Camp Fire Boys and Girls. He has also served as the fund raising campaign chairman for the United Way.

Gene is currently on the board of trustees of the Fostoria Community Hospital Foundation, St. Wendelin Education Foundation and Tiffin University. He is a past president of the Fostoria Economic Development Corp. And the Industrial Heating Equipment Association. He is also a member of the University Club, Fostoria Country Club and Rotary Club.

The new St. Wendelin Church is in some measure of testament to Gene's leadership and commitment to Fostoria. He is a past member of the parish council and currently serves on the school advisory committee and the Mohawk Booster Club.

But, most importantly, it was Gene who took up the chairmanship of the parish's church building committee.

"He spent many, many, many hours in meetings," said Betty. "He convinced people that it could be done. My husband has a very keen self-discipline."

The new church at Wood St. and College Ave., has opened another chapter in the growth and development of St. Wendelin Parish.

Gene was also the chairman of the very first St. Wendelin Parish Festival. And what began as a spaghetti dinner has grown into one of Fostoria's biggest and most eagerly anticipated annual events. Gene remains involved in the festival to this day.

Though it may not seem like it, Gene occasionally has some free time. When he does, he enjoys camping and traveling. When his retirement becomes official, he plans to spend more time with his wife, family and grandchildren. It's also his intention to stay active in his many activities in and around Fostoria.

There are some people who make a difference, who by their energy, talent, ability and dedication put their special imprint on their communities and make them better places to live.

In Fostoria, Gene Schalk is one of those people. The Focus offers its sincere congratulations. We wish him well.