Sales, manufacturing exec Robert French dies at 83

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, August 12, 2011

VALPARAISO, Ind. — Robert P. (Bob) French, a lifelong sales and manufacturing executive in the urethane foam filed, has died at age 83.

Bob French

French began his career in 1952 selling latex foam products for US Rubber in Indiana. After a stint as a manufacturer's representative, French was named vice president of sales at Hood Molded Foam. In 1972, he was named vice president and general manager of Lear Siegler Foam Products after Lear acquired Hood.

French later joined Reeves Bros., now Foamex, as business manager and general sales manager. More recently, he had worked with Flexsteel's RV seating segment and Crain Inds.

Survivors include his wife, five children and several grandchildren. His son, Brian, is general manager of Advanced Urethane Technologies.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., 7th floor, New York, NY 10001 or www.alz.org.