Calvin Lieberman, 1912-2012: Businessman active in industry groups
7/9/2012Calvin Lieberman, founder and president of the former Ace Steel Baling Inc. who was active in scrap-processing and recycling-industry organizations, died Saturday in Ebeid Hospice Residence, Sylvania. He was 100.
His son, Dr. Bruce Lieberman, said didn't know the cause of death.
He said that despite being on dialysis for three years, Mr. Lieberman had remained active and alert.
Mr. Lieberman began his career in the scrap industry in 1937 when he joined the former Kasle Iron & Metal Co., holding the positions of general manager and secretary. After 10 years with the company, he started Ace Steel Baling on a 17-acre site on Hill Avenue near Westwood Avenue.
The business processed junk vehicles and metals into blocks for shipment to steel mills and foundries.
Dr. Lieberman said his father began the company with the financial backing of Detroit investors who had backgrounds in the steel-processing industry.
He said his father eventually bought out the investors.
Mr. Lieberman eventually merged the scrap-iron operation with Kasle Iron, and the companies were absorbed in 1976 by the former Magnimet Corp., which at the time was one of the country's largest scrap-iron processors.
Dr. Lieberman said his father remained with the new company as a vice president or five years, guiding and teaching employees on how to operate the business. He said he continued to work many years as a consultant.
Mr. Lieberman grew up in North Toledo and graduated from Woodward High School in 1930. He continued his education at the University of Toledo, receiving a bachelor's degree in business administration.
His first job was as an accounting supervisor at the Chevrolet-Toledo transmission plant on Central Avenue.
While attending high school, he met the former Sadie Albert and they eventually married, a union that lasted 72 years. She died July 16, 2007.
During World War II, Mr. Lieberman was chairman of the dealer section of the Toledo salvage committee, which directed efforts to collect steel for the war effort.
He was a past vice president and treasurer of the Institute of Scrap Iron and Steel and also was a past president of the Northern Ohio chapter of the industry group.
Surviving are his daughter, Karen Lieberman, son, Dr. Bruce Lieberman, brother, Harold Lieberman, and two grandchildren.
Services are to be today at 4 p.m. in Beth Shalom Cemetery, Oregon.
The family requests tributes to Congregation B'Nai Israel or Hadassah.
The Robert H. Wick/Wisniewski Funeral Home is handling arrangements.