Thursday, January 29, 2004
F.W. KNECHT III
Forge owner, college trustee
In 1978, he bought Wendell August Forge, a maker of engraved collectibles.
BOARDMAN -- F.W. "Bill" Knecht III, a prominent businessman and trustee of Youngstown State University and Grove City College, died Wednesday in St. Elizabeth Health Center. He was 66.Besides his role as a university trustee, he was best known for his ownership of Wendell August Forge in Grove City, Pa., which opened in 1923 and is the nation's oldest and largest currently operating forge.
The forge
Knecht, of Boardman, bought the company in 1978 from the August family, and turned it into a multimillion-dollar manufacturer of intricate hand-made metal giftware it is today.
Using tons of aluminum and bronze annually, the company is widely known for creating and engraving individually hammered collectibles.
In 1995, as the company embarked on plans for retail facilities throughout the Midwest and South and for expanded direct mail operations, he announced the appointment of his son, Will, as company president, and turned the operation of the company over to him.
After that, the elder Knecht continued to serve as the company's chief executive.
YSU alumnus
In August 2001, the elder Knecht was the YSU summer commencement speaker. YSU awarded him the honorary doctor of humane letters degree.
He was a YSU alumnus.
Funeral arrangements were pending this morning at Davis Funeral Home.