Alex
Alex Chisholm
d. May 22, 2013
Chisholm, Alex
Born: December 9, 1930
Died: May 22, 2013
Age 82 of Hibbing, MN passed away on May 22, 2013.
Alex was born on December 9, 1930 in Cedar City, Utah to John “Dukes” and Dorothy Chisholm, and graduated from Hibbing High School in 1949. Kicked out of the University of Michigan as a freshman, politely asked not to return for his senior year at Michigan Tech and following a two year stint in the army (between WW II and Korea) Alex finally graduated from Colorado School of Mines in 1957 with a BS in Mining Engineering.
Alex married Mary Ellen (Murray) in 1957 and the couple moved to Pittsburgh, PA where his first job was with the Dravo Corporation, managing a tunnel project that set up the City of Pittsburgh’s first sewer system.
In January, 1961 Alex joined his father-in-law Clay Murray as the third full time employee at the start-up of L&M Radiator in Hibbing. That first year, L&M Radiator’s sales were about $80,000. Alex became the driving force behind expanding the sales, bringing L&M to the mining world. In 1972 Alex moved his young family to Western Australia to establish a manufacturing plant there. Over the years L&M grew and expanded many times establishing plants in Mexico, Canada, South Africa, Chile and several locations in the United States. Alex loved L&M and his L&M family.
Alex was named as the Minnesota Small Business Man of the Year in 1975. Alex was appointed to the US Presidential Advisory Committee for Trade Negotiations by Presidents Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter that same year, and served until 1981. In 1982 Alex was inducted into the Minnesota Business Hall of Fame. Alex was Hibbing’s Titan of Taconite in 1981 and served on the Minnesota State Chamber of Commerce Board from 1999 – 2005. He was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Hibbing Chamber of Commerce in 2000. He was active on the Class of 1949 Reunion Committee and at the St. James Episcopal Church.
A long loving relationship with Fran Gardeski was spent traveling extensively, enjoying many family gatherings, hosting legendary parties, enjoying each other, friends and colleagues.
Alex had a big heart, he loved life, he was passionate, smart, well-read, compassionate, driven, and a lot of fun. We will all miss him.
He will be deeply missed by Fran Gardeski, children Laura (Paul) Ekholm, Dan (Ann) Chisholm, and Fran’s children Ed (Lois), Julie, Mark (Michelle), Janie (Dale), sister, Mary Louise Meredith, Grandchildren Kristia (Mike), Lisa (Zach), Anders, Annika, Ty, Kelly, Sydney, Chris, Erica (Brian), Forrest (Mara), Carver, Sarah and Emily, niece Debbie (Pete) and nephew David (Vanessa) and their children.
Funeral service at St. James Episcopal Church at 2028 7th Avenue East Hibbing, MN at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 28th. Visitation will be in the church Tuesday, from 9:30am until service time. Burial will be in the Maple Hill Cemetery.
Memorials preferred to L&M Radiator Scholarship fund for graduating seniors, the Alzheimer’s Association or the Children’s Home Society.
Born: December 9, 1930
Died: May 22, 2013
Age 82 of Hibbing, MN passed away on May 22, 2013.
Alex was born on December 9, 1930 in Cedar City, Utah to John “Dukes” and Dorothy Chisholm, and graduated from Hibbing High School in 1949. Kicked out of the University of Michigan as a freshman, politely asked not to return for his senior year at Michigan Tech and following a two year stint in the army (between WW II and Korea) Alex finally graduated from Colorado School of Mines in 1957 with a BS in Mining Engineering.
Alex married Mary Ellen (Murray) in 1957 and the couple moved to Pittsburgh, PA where his first job was with the Dravo Corporation, managing a tunnel project that set up the City of Pittsburgh’s first sewer system.
In January, 1961 Alex joined his father-in-law Clay Murray as the third full time employee at the start-up of L&M Radiator in Hibbing. That first year, L&M Radiator’s sales were about $80,000. Alex became the driving force behind expanding the sales, bringing L&M to the mining world. In 1972 Alex moved his young family to Western Australia to establish a manufacturing plant there. Over the years L&M grew and expanded many times establishing plants in Mexico, Canada, South Africa, Chile and several locations in the United States. Alex loved L&M and his L&M family.
Alex was named as the Minnesota Small Business Man of the Year in 1975. Alex was appointed to the US Presidential Advisory Committee for Trade Negotiations by Presidents Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter that same year, and served until 1981. In 1982 Alex was inducted into the Minnesota Business Hall of Fame. Alex was Hibbing’s Titan of Taconite in 1981 and served on the Minnesota State Chamber of Commerce Board from 1999 – 2005. He was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Hibbing Chamber of Commerce in 2000. He was active on the Class of 1949 Reunion Committee and at the St. James Episcopal Church.
A long loving relationship with Fran Gardeski was spent traveling extensively, enjoying many family gatherings, hosting legendary parties, enjoying each other, friends and colleagues.
Alex had a big heart, he loved life, he was passionate, smart, well-read, compassionate, driven, and a lot of fun. We will all miss him.
He will be deeply missed by Fran Gardeski, children Laura (Paul) Ekholm, Dan (Ann) Chisholm, and Fran’s children Ed (Lois), Julie, Mark (Michelle), Janie (Dale), sister, Mary Louise Meredith, Grandchildren Kristia (Mike), Lisa (Zach), Anders, Annika, Ty, Kelly, Sydney, Chris, Erica (Brian), Forrest (Mara), Carver, Sarah and Emily, niece Debbie (Pete) and nephew David (Vanessa) and their children.
Funeral service at St. James Episcopal Church at 2028 7th Avenue East Hibbing, MN at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 28th. Visitation will be in the church Tuesday, from 9:30am until service time. Burial will be in the Maple Hill Cemetery.
Memorials preferred to L&M Radiator Scholarship fund for graduating seniors, the Alzheimer’s Association or the Children’s Home Society.
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