Milton J Rhoad

Milton J. Rhoad died on August 13, 2016.

Born in Tiffin, Ohio on May 16, 1920, he spent his early childhood in Tampa, Florida, returning to Ohio in 1930. He entered Heidelberg College in 1938, met his soon-to-be wife, June, in 1940 and graduated in 1942 with a BS in chemistry. His long association with Goodyear began in 1943 when he came to Akron to work in their Fundamental Research laboratory under the direction of Nobel Prize winner, Paul Flory.

In 1953, he moved from the research lab to the Chemical Division where he managed the Rubber and Rubber Chemicals Department. He moved to Paris with his family in 1961 when Goodyear sent him to France to establish a chemical operation in Europe. Four years later he returned to the U.S. to become manager of the International Chemical Division and, later, General Manager of the domestic Chemical Division. He retired from Goodyear in 1977 to take the position of Managing Director of The International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers (IISRP), an organization headquartered in Houston with 43 members in 19 countries. In 1985 he retired for a second time and returned home to Akron where he continued to work as a consultant on synthetic rubber concerns for a number of years. A long-time member of Bath Church, he served on their Board of Trustees, Building Committee and Vision Committee. He also served on the Eagles' Chase Board of Directors and enjoyed doing volunteer work for Mobile Meals.

Playing golf with friends was a favorite pastime - one that began as a nine year old caddy in Florida and lasted a lifetime. Other special interests included music, history, travel, bird-watching and bridge.

Preceded in death by his son Paul, and his beloved wife June, whom he married on June 9, 1945, he is survived by his daughter, Leslie Lam (Tony) of Tiny, Ontario; daughter, Julie Rhoad (Karen Resha) of Atlanta, GA; sister and brother-in-law, Janice and Stanley Stokes, sister-in-law, Bonny Rhoad and his wonderful grandchildren, Torrey Lam, Tiffani Sales (Paul), and Toby Lam, his wife Elisabeth and great-grandchildren - Ellora, Adrian and Bennett Lam, all living in Ontario, CA.

A memorial service for both Milton and June Rhoad will be held on Friday, August 19th at 2:00 pm at The Bath Church UCC, Rev. Maureen Webber officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Bath Church, 3980 W. Bath Rd., Akron, OH 44333. (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel)