Charles William Husum

May 16, 1913 - Sep 12, 2016

Charles William Husum, age 103, of Toledo passed away September 12, 2016, after a long and productive life. Born in Chicago, IL. He moved here at age 19 and had lived in South Toledo since then. He was married to the late Margaret Faist for 63 years and exemplified the devoted husband, father and friend who always went the extra mile in whatever he did.

Chuck was a proud graduate of the University of Toledo where he was a member of the wrestling team. He was an avid Rocket fan of all UT sports even after he could no longer attend the games or Downtown Coaches luncheons. He spent most of his career in closure engineering and research at Owens-Illinois where he received seven patents, including the "Magic Button" vacuum seal cap. It was a source of satisfaction to him that many people were employed in Toledo because of the success of those products. After mandatory retirement from O-I at 65, Chuck continued to work as a consultant for the next 13 years for O-I and its suppliers both in the US and abroad. Charles was a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church for 84 years where he was a past president of the church council. He was a longtime scoutmaster for the church Boy Scout Troop 79.

A believer in lifetime learning, he was always interested in people, young and old, and enjoyed hearing of their activities and accomplishments.

Surviving are two daughters; one son; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Source The Blade, Sept. 18, 2016

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(NEWS STORY) Charles William Husum, a retired Owens-Illinois Inc. executive who held several patents, died Monday of complications from congestive heart failure in Hospice of Northwest Ohio, South Detroit Avenue, relatives said. He was 103.

Mr. Husum retired as division manager from O-I after 41 years at the company, at age 65 in 1978, three years before O-I moved into the then-new One SeaGate in 1981.

"He could outlast anyone in stamina and discipline and he was looking out for the welfare of those who worked for him," his daughter, Carol Husum, a retired Kalamazoo County District Court judge, said. "If they had a problem (at work), he would be there at every shift, sometimes three shifts in a row, sending his employees home.

"He was fair and never met anyone he didn't like," she said. "He was a believer in lifetime learning, he was always interested in people, and enjoyed hearing of their accomplishments."

Mr. Husum spent most of his career at O-I in engineering and research. He received seven patents, of which he was proud because it helped the company to employ more people, according to family members. After retiring in 1978, Mr. Husum for 13 years returned periodically as a troubleshooter consultant for O-I and its suppliers in the United States and for the company's South American operations.

He talked to The Blade in 2006, a year before O-I moved to the suburbs from the city it called home for most of its then 103-year existence. But he said he didn't object to the firm's plan to leave the signature office tower, One SeaGate.

A Chicago native, Mr. Husum moved from South Bend to Toledo just after he graduated from high school, his daughter said. He then attended the University of Toledo, graduating in the mid-1930s with a bachelor's degree in science before working at a Toledo optical company and at Toledo Hospital, for one of his former professors. He would later work for O-I as a chemist.

During World War II, he worked for O-I on Pentagon projects in developing synthetic rubber gaskets for ammunition containers after being turned down as a Navy volunteer because of a bad heart, Dr. William Husum, his son, said.

The elder Mr. Husum enjoyed gardening, which he called his "game of golf," his daughter said. Also an avid outdoorsman and fisherman, he went on fishing trips to Canada and Alaska with his children and grandchildren.

He enjoyed traveling around the world with his wife of 63 years, the former Margaret Faist. They met when he played golf with her brothers at Holy Trinity Church in South Toledo. She died in 2003.

Mr. Husum was a nearly lifetime member of the church, where he was a past president of the church council and a longtime scoutmaster for the church Boy Scout Troop 79.

Surviving are his daughters, Carol Husum and Joan McConnell; son, Dr. William Husum, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

This is a news story by Mike Sigov. Published in The Blade on Sept. 18, 2016

Sources: Ancestry.com and FindAGrave.com

08/18/2026 EJS

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/182264136/charles-william-husum