George Robert Gage

Age 73 of Middletown died Tuesday, August 30, 2005 in Charleston, SC. He was born March 30, 1932 in Butler, PA, the son of the late Gordon and Irma Smith Gage. He was a graduate of Exeter Academy, studied engineering at Yale University for three years, and graduated from Ohio State University with a B.A. degree in economics in 1955. He joined Armco that same year. During his 31 years with that company he held a number of key management positions including Assistant to the Vice President of Sales, Chicago District Sales Manager, Worldwide Manager of Construction Products, Administrative Vice President for the Armco International Division, President of the Construction Product Division, and President of the National Supply Division. In 1986, Bob led a management buyout of Armco Construction Products Division resulting in the formulation of Contech Construction Products Inc., where he was the former Owner, President, and Chairman of the Board. Under his leadership, the Company became a nationwide leader in the construction industry. He was the current Chairman of the Middletown Regional Health System Board of Trustees, and was the former Chairman of the board of the Middletown Regional Hospital. Bob was first asked to be Chairman in 1993 and has served on both Boards for 16 years chairing one of them almost the entire time. Upon a recent hospital affiliation, Bob became a member of the Premier Health Partners Board of Trustees. Bob was the Chairman of the Board of Hamilton Welding Company, Newberry Tanks, Inc., and the Southern Company, Inc. located in Memphis, Tenn., and Columbus, OH Throughout his career Bob generously contributed his talents and leadership skills in a number of civic and community activities. While on the Board of Trustees, he served as Division Campaign Chairman for the Middletown Area United Way. He also served as the Vice President of Arts in Middletown, and as President of the Middletown Tennis Club. Bob is survived by his wife, Patricia Miller Gage of Middletown; two daughters, Katherine Louise Gage of Columbus, OH., and Abigail Walden Evans and her husband C. Bradford Evans of Abbeville, SC; two sons, G. Robert Gage, Jr. and his wife Soraya Gage of New York, NY, and Martin Lincoln Walden and his wife Elizabeth Russell Walden of Chicago, IL; and three grandchildren, George Robert Gage, III, David Jackson Gage, and Katherine Louise Gage. Bob enjoyed life to the fullest. He loved to hike, snowshoe, bike, travel, cook, entertain and spend time with his family and friends. He will be missed by all. A Celebration of Boba?(TM)s Life will be held from 5:00PM to 8:00PM Thursday, September 8, 2005 at the Browna?(TM)s Run Country Club, Middletown. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the, Bob Gage Memorial Cardiology Fund c/o Mid-Miami Healthcare Foundation 105 McKnight Drive. Middletown, OH 45044. Online condolences may be sent the Gage family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com Harris Funeral of Abbeville, is handling the arrangements.