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Pix #1 - R.J. Carter

Pix #2 - C.D. Pifer

God, give us men, like C.D. Pifer and R.J. Carter, two men who are now both deceased, but who left legacies of their past lives and achievements when living.

"Cliff" Pifer came to Fostoria in 1912 from Bellefontaine. His first venture here was in the retail hardware business. Five years later (1917) during World War I, Pifer organized The Fostoria Pressed Steel and became its first president.

Pifer attended Ohio Wesleyan University and played football there. He had a continuing interest in sports all of his life, participating in golf, tennis and volleyball at the local YMCA.

Pifer continued as chief executive officer of The Pressed Steel until the early part of 1940, when he left Fostoria and was engaged in the iron ore mining business for a short time. He died in 1950.

Carter came to Fostoria from Fremont in 1919, joining Fostoria Pressed Steel and assumed managerial responsibilities. When Pifer retired, Carter became the chief executive officer.

The combined business acumen of Pifer and Carter in guiding The Fostoria Pressed Steel through its early years, their ability to select and pioneer product lines and their ability to build an organization of individuals to manufacture and distribute those products successfully, is a living tribute that still lives today.

But, praise for Pifer and Carter doesn't stop there. they were both active and sought after for their interest in Fostoria in many other ways. Both were active in the local Methodist church, service clubs, YMCA and many other activities and organizations.

Carter was a graduate of Fremont high, Culver Military Academy and the University of Wisconsin. He was a veteran of World War I, serving overseas as a lieutenant in the 37th division.

Known by everyone as "Russ" Carter was a member of all of the Masonic bodies, University Club, Exchange Club and Valley Creek Club. He was also a member of the school board at the time when the public school buildings in Fostoria were upgraded.

Both Carter and Pifer were solid church members. I recall that whenever Pifer was presiding at or attending a public or private board meeting, he always saw that it was opened with prayer, if such was in order...an act which I have never forgotten.

I consider it a privilege to have been associated with both men at a time when I was a young man. I recall playing volleyball with both at the YMCA.

Carter always had an "open door" policy if an employee wanted to talk about a problem...be it personal or work related.

C.D. Pifer was still with Fostoria Pressed Steel when I went to work in 1941. The products which were manufactured there at that time were replacement automotive fenders, lighting, and infrared equipment and precision grinding equipment...all important to this country's production facilities to win the war.

A long time ago I heard or saw in print a eulogy that went something like this:

God gives us men, this world demands strong minds, clean hearts, true faith and ready hands. God give us men.

God will give us good men and women too...if we have good homes, good schools and churches and from that combination will come good communities and a better world.

Mr. and Mrs. C.D. Pifer had one daughter, Miriam, first married to Harold Hartley, born and reared in Fostoria. After his death, she married Robert Powers, deceased since 1984.

The Carters had one son Richard, still residing in Fostoria, and four daughters, Elizabeth, Margaret, Nancy, Virginia, all of whom are living in California.

READER FEEDBACK: LAMINATE RT SPECIAL EDITION

From Don Kinnaman, Phoenix, Ariz., comes a suggestion for those who like to preserve artifacts for posterity.

I think it would be very appropriate for history buffs to save most or all of The Review Times 125th Anniversary Edition for grandchildren by having the pages laminated with plastic, he said. Or perhaps the front page and parts of the rest of it.

Kinnaman had another novel idea...Woodworkers will also find this addition to be an interesting cover plate for a small coffee table for the family room.

Don said he found the edition extremely interesting and that he would pass it along to his sister Carolyn Hyte and son Jim.

FORMER RT EMPLOYEE RESPONDS

Kristen (Harley) Hebbit, an editorial department employee of The Review Times back in 1955-58, enjoyed the 125th Anniversary Edition, according to a note from her.

I was particulary interested in the items about "Poody" Harry Stonberger, Ed, Marguerite, Connie and Ken Rice, she said. One may move away but one never forgets the hometowm.

The daughter of Bob Harley who also had an interest in the edition, she now lives in Springfield.

DEWOLFE, FORMER RESIDENT LIKED "125TH" EDITION

William Dewolfe, Toledo, whose ancestors were editors and involved in the early history of The Review, liked The Review Times 125th Anniversary Edition, according to a letter received by me.

I think that I have now devoured the whole paper, he said.

F.M. Hopkins and my grandfather, Alonzo Emerine Sr., shared a common driveway. That driveway is still shared by The Green Manor Apts. where his grandfather raised his family and the house north where Hopkins lived.

Mr. Hopkins wrote a piece at the time of my father's death (Chub DeWolfe) recalling their common newspaper friends from the old days in Toledo. I still have it, he said.

CORRECTION

In last week's Potluck, Isaac Newton and Charity (McDougle) Wyant were listed as grandparents of Willis Wyant. It should have said they were the great- grandparents of Willis Wyant.