Kenneth C. Schlegel

Bonita Springs, FL: February 21, 2018 at age 95. Ken was born September 21, 1922 in Rochester, NY where he lived for 55 years. Upon graduation from Brighton High School in 1940, he was accepted to the Wharton School of Finance of the University of Pennsylvania. In 1941, he enlisted in the US Navy Reserve and had to concurrently take all the naval courses along with the regular college curriculum. He graduated with a BS in Economics degree in 1943 and was commissioned an Ensign in the US Naval Reserve. He served the rest of the war on a ship in the North Pacific and was honorably discharged in late 1945 as a Lieutenant JG. Ken was accepted for graduate studies at Harvard University, but decided instead to start working in his family's company, The Schlegel Corporation, headquartered in Rochester, NY. His entire 34 years of work was with the Schlegel Corporation. He started working in the factory and through the years covered all departments. From 1954-1957, he was appointed General Sales Manager, responsible for all sales and merchandising. He took sales from a few million dollars to over 50 million with new product lines for building window and door trade and auto interior trim. In 1956, along with being Corporate General manager, he was made President of Schlegel Canada, Ltd. In 1958, he was elected corporate President and COO by the Board, responsible for all operations, including foreign manufacturing and sales locations. He was also given the responsibility to negotiate with the state of South Carolina to build a 40,000 square foot manufacturing plant there. He also negotiated, with legal help, agreements and 'options to buy' companies in England, Germany, Australia, Belgium, and Spain which later became Schlegel owned. In 1974, he was elected Vice Chairman of the Board. In late 1975, he made the decision to retire fully from the company which was being managed by professionals with high-powered, active Board, watching over. The company continued to grow and prosper to an eventual 15 manufacturing plants around the world and employed several thousand. In 1988, the Schlegel Corporation was sold to British Tire and Rubber Dunlop, Inc. ending 103 years of successful growth by a closely held family company. Ken was also a Junior Member of Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, NY then a Senior Member until he resigned in 1998. He and his wife, Brenda, are members of Quail West Golf and Country Club in Naples, FL and also a member of Palmira Country Club. He was also a 32 Degree Mason. Ken is survived by wife of 27 years, Brenda; son, Gary (Laurel) Schlegel of Elma, NY; daughter, Tracy (Richard) Bowman of Bloomfield, NY, son, Kevin Schlegel of Rochester, NY, and a deceased daughter, Kimberly Cardamone; five grandchldren, Shayna, Kristen, Justin, Brent and Nick. He was "Papa Ken" to Brenda's seven grandchildren. He also had five nieces, the daughters of his deceased brother, Karl. Friends may call Tuesday, Feb. 27th, 5-7 PM at the funeral chapel (2305 Monroe Ave.). A Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, Feb. 28th, 11 AM, at All Seasons Chapel, White Haven Memorial Park, 210 Marsh Rd. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Disabled American Veterans PO Box 60536, Rochester, NY, 14606 http://monroepowers15dav.org or Shriners Hospitals for Children, 12502 USF Pine Drive, Tampa, FL 33612 https://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/tampa Local arrangements are being handled by Shikany's Bonita Funeral Home.

Kenneth C. Schlegel

September 21, 1922 - February 21, 2018