May 4, 1883-October 2, 1961
F.R. Eaglesfield, Retired Kawneer Vice President, Dies
Frederick Robert Eaglesfield, 78, 820 Topinabee Road, retired vice president of the Kawneer Co., died at 3:40 pm. Monday in Pawating Hospital. He had been in failing health for three and a half years and a hospital patient for one day.
A native of Niles, he was born May 4, 1883, and had served his community in many capacities, as a Boy Scout leader, officer of the Cancer Society and chairman of the Park Board.
His 36 years of service at the Kawneer Co., began Oct. 1, 1912. He retired on June 1, 1948, as a vice presdent and director. His business career also saw associations with the National Leather Co., and the former Niles City Bank, each for five years.
Mr. Eaglesfield had been active for many years in the Southwestern Michigan Boy Scout Council program, having served as council president from 1947 to 1951 and for a number of years as an executive board member. He also was a council representative on the National Council for eight years, and had been instrumental in development of Camp Madron during the early 1950's.
In 1952, the council bestowed on him the highest honor given a volunteer for service to youth, the Silver Beaver Award.
His services to the Scouting program also brought him the distinction of being the only den grandfather in national Scouting.
In other phases of his community life, Mrs.[sic] Eaglesfield was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, a life member of St. Joseph Valley Lodge No. 4, F& AM, member of DeWitt Clinton Consistory, 32nd degree, member of Saladin Temple of Grand Rapids, life member of Niles Commandery No. 12, Knights Templar, member of St. Vincent Conclave No. 33, Red Cross of Constantine, honorary member of the Niles Rotary Club, life member of the Niles Elks Lodge, member of the 25-year Club of Kawneer and a charter member of the Pickwick Club. He also had been a member of Orchard Hills Country Club.
During his career at Kawneer Co., Mr. Eaglesfield was named company secretary in 1917, secretary and sales manager in 1918, vice president in charge of sales in 1972[sic], vice president in charge of purchasing in 1934, and vice president in charge of engineering sales in 1936. He held the latter post until his retirement in 1948.
He was a director of the firm from 1918 through 1949, a year after his retirement.
On Sept. 6, 1905, he was married in Niles, to the former Miss Kathryn Winter, who survives.
Also surviving are: two daughters, Mrs. John W. Strayer, 553 Grant St., and Mrs. Roger L. Thompson, Westport, Conn., and five grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in Trinity Episcopal Church with the rector, Rev. John G. Carlton, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.
Friends are being received at the Kiger and Halbritter Funeral Home.
(Source: Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, October 3, 1961, page 2, col. 1-2, microfilm Niles District Library)