James M. Appold Obituary

James Appold, University of Findlay Trustee 1998 to 2017, passed away Thursday, April 24 at St. Luke’s Hospital at the age of 81. Appold was also president of the Library Legacy Foundation of the Toledo Lucas County Public Library, a former trustee of Lourdes University, and a well-known engineer in the world of snack food.

James and his wife, Patricia Appold, were known to the community as entrepreneurs and civic leaders. In 2014, the Appold’s received the Outstanding Philanthropist Award in Ohio for their philanthropic efforts and various gifts made to organizations, and the community as a whole, in Northwest Ohio. Being generous donors and actively involved in the University of Findlay, the Appold Investment Trading Room, located on the third floor of Old Main, was dedicated to James and Patricia on April 18, 2013.

Survived by his wife, Patricia, sons Jonn and Andrew Appold, daughters Karen Kerr, Melinda Appold, and Caitlin Fry, and 13 grandchildren, James’ generosity will benefit the community and UF students for years to come.

Below is the full obituary, published in the Saginaw News in his hometown of Saginaw, MI:

Appold, James 4/10/1939 – 4/23/2020 Rossford Ohio

On a snowy April 10, 1939 James M. Appold was born at home in Saginaw, Michigan to Martin and Louise Malzhan Appold. He died April 23, 2020 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Maumee, Ohio. Jim graduated from Arthur Hill High School in Saginaw where he captained the 1956-57 basketball team and made many life-long dear friends. One treasured friend described him as… ” a lanky, goofy, utterly affable, ever positive sprit….” He married his high school sweetheart and love of his life Patricia Kirchner on August 20, 1960, and then he earned his undergraduate industrial engineering degree from the General Motors Institute (now Kettering University). Later in Toledo he completed work on both his M.B.A. and MSS in Industrial Engineering from the U.T. Highly intelligent and hard-working, he served in several engineering positions in Saginaw before an opportunity at The Anderson’s brought Jim and his family to NW Ohio in 1975 as manager of Technical Services. After seven years Jim took an opportunity to become the Plant Manager of the Consolidated Biscuit Company (CBC), an industrial Bakery in McComb, Ohio. He successfully operated CBC for more than 10 years and in 1992 purchased the company from its founder, Fritz Meyer. CBC was sold in 2010. He was proud of the achievement of building CBC to employing close to 4000 people in 10 plants located in seven states. In the following years Jim continued to work full time using his knowledge, experience and skills to assist several businesses most notably the Maumee Bay Brewing Company located at the Oliver House in Toledo Ohio. Jim was an avid fan of the Toledo Mud Hens and Detroit Tigers. He also loved to travel all over the world with his wife, photographing stunning locations especially in Africa. He also had a particular fondness for Florida, where he enjoyed relaxing and spotting sharks ‘ teeth on the beach. Jim was an antique collector who relished the hunt for unusual and intriguing items wherever they might be found. He quite often would add to his collection of old Button hooks, slide rules, iron banks and music boxes. He found his greatest joy in spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He enjoyed a challenge. From developing large industrial processes to repairing a grandchild’s broken treasure. He will be lovingly remembered for his rare kindness to all, his optimistic nature, his enjoyment of simple pleasures (including old western films), his sense of humor, his unwavering loyalty and his deep love and devotion to his family. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of nearly 60 years, Patricia Appold; children, Jonn (Kathy) Appold, Karen (Craig) Kerr, Melinda (Andrew Berryhill) Appold, Caitlin (Matt) Fry and Andrew (Meg) Appold; thirteen grandchildren, Ian, Evan and Audra Appold, Shelby, Marleigh and Angus Kerr, Emmett and Stewart Berryhill, Alison, Eliza and Walter Fry, Rohan and Marlowe Appold. Funeral services and committal will be private. A service to celebrate Jim’s amazing life will be announced at a later date. Memorials in his name are suggested to the Friends of Boys and Girls Club of Greater Toledo, Water Chemistry Environmental Analysis Lab via the UT Foundation #1302517 4510 Dorr St. Toledo, Ohio 43615, or the charity of the donor’s choice.