Obituary of Dick Malson

HUDSON—Dick Malson was born in Akron, Ohio to Dorothy and George Malson.  He was the second of four boys, Bob, Dick, Jim and Bill, and spent many years making mayhem on Myrtle Avenue in Cuyahoga Falls.  In his youth he was a member of the Boy Scouts and participated in many activities including football, baseball and soap box derbies. To say his life was colorful is an understatement.  He was renegade in the best sense, and navigated life with an itinerary all his own.  Most days if you would ask him how he was doing, he would quickly answer “Just about perfect” with a crooked, mustached grin and a chuckle.  While many would describe Dick as hard working, driven and successful, Dick is remembered by his family as funny, tender, loving and giving.  He was a prankster, constantly sending his grandkids on wild goose chases for basement doors that didn’t exist, threatening that he would tell “Mr. Bricker” if they misbehaved, teasing about “underwear” checks and serving Barb’s “special” cheese treats to willing tasters. Dick had many hobbies from flying to fishing, world travel to antique cars, video games, chess, golf, woodworking--he even had a green thumb. He lived with a contagious passion to enjoy life and share it with those he knew and loved. Dick also had a strong affinity for animals, always bringing home strays and always having multiple pets. Dick met his true love, the beautiful Barbara Ann Westman, in high school and as the story goes, it was love at first sight.  He used to wait for Barbara to come home every night, even when she was on other dates, just to see her. He graduated from Cuyahoga Falls High School in 1958 and matriculated to Ohio University where he was a member of the Theta Chi Fraternity. His brothers reminisce about Dick entering and winning an essay contest which named their mother Ohio University Mother of the year. He graduated in 1962 with a degree in mechanical engineering and went on to work in the fastener industry.  He is described as being a “can do” kinda guy.  If he said he could do it—he did.  By the age of 14 he was a Blueprint boy in the engineering office at Lamson& Sessions in Kent and went on to be a Vice President by 29.  His mind was constantly full of innovative ideas and lofty goals. In 1977, Dick pursued one of his dreams and founded Ramco Specialties, Inc. from the back of a machine shop with an innovative new way to produce quality locknuts.  He loved to tell the story of using a bathroom scale to weigh out the nuts for his first orders…as well as numerous adventures and debacles on the tow motors that have people in stiches to this day.  His grandchildren all loved to visit the “shop” and get a tour on the golf cart with their grandfather that frequently ended with him raiding the vending machines for them.  Today, Ramco is an international company feeding the world fastener market, headquartered in Hudson, with locations in Italy and Scandinavia. Dick was inducted into the National Industrial Fastener & Mill Supply Expo Hall of Fame in 2001. Dick has earned numerous honors throughout his life; most recently the Boys Scouts of America recognized him for his lifetime contribution to business and industry in Northeast Ohio, Scouting, community service and the future development of youth. For many years Dick quietly exercised a very generous heart for giving.  Many people have shared stories of his kindness his family never knew about like helping an employee with college tuition or medical bills, monetary support for friends and Christmas gifts for needy children to name a few.  He volunteered as a baseball coach, Scout leader, 4-H volunteer and is a member of Kiwanis International. However, Scott Malson Field at Hudson Middle School and the Malson Athletic Center that is under construction at Hudson High School truly showcase Dick’s bighearted generosity, passion for helping kids and allegiance to the city he loves, Hudson.  Not a week would go by that you wouldn’t see Dick in his signature hat enjoying and supporting a youth sporting event. Dick’s greatest joy and proudest accomplishment in life was his family. He treasured family vacations, fishing and fish “tales,” coaching little league and being his kids and grandkids personal Super Fan in all that they did. Preceded in death by his brother Jim Malson (Janet) and son Scott (Sue), Dick’s incredible legacy lives on with wife Barbara; daughter Tracey New (Scott); son Rick (Ellen); brothers Bob (Candace) and Bill (Denise); grandchildren Matthew (Clarice), Bethany and Stephanie Berger, Jessica, Ricky and Joanna Malson, Tyler, Brock and Logan Malson; and countless other dear relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held at 10 AM Tuesday at Christ Community Chapel, 750 W. Streetsboro St., Hudson. Entombment at Northlawn Memorial Gardens, 4724 State Road, Peninsula 44264. Friends may call from 1 to 3 and 5 to 7 PM Monday at Redmon Funeral Home in Stow.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Dick to Malson Athletic Center of the Hudson Hawks Youth Football Association.  For the athletic center make checks payable to Hudson City Schools with Malson Athletic Center in the memo.  Mail to 2386 Hudson Aurora Road, Hudson, Ohio 44236. For Hawks mail to The Hudson Hawks Youth Football Association, P.O. Box 1462, Hudson, Ohio 44236.