Charleston Gazette (WV) - February 9, 2007
Deceased Name: Elmer A. Fike
Elmer A. Fike of Nitro was born on December 24, 1919. He died on Wednesday, February 7, 2007, with family gathered around him.
Born in Warrensburg, Missouri, Elmer graduated from Iowa State University at the age of 20 with a degree in chemical engineering. He met his wife of 66 years, Frances, at Iowa State. Elmer and Frances moved to Nitro as newlyweds in 1940 when Elmer joined Monsanto Chemical Company.
Always an independent man, Elmer started his own company in 1953 to manufacture agricultural chemicals. Fike Chemical Company eventually grew to employ as many as 60 people in Nitro. Elmer was a spokesman for the difficulties small businesses faced in meeting rapidly changing regulatory requirements and became a respected lobbyist in Washington.
Elmer Fike was an activist. A staunch member of the Republican Party, he campaigned for many candidates for office, ran for office himself, and supported conservative causes. For many years, he wrote a column, "Elmer's Tune," which was published in the Kanawha Valley Leader and other newspapers. He appeared on television and radio. He read voraciously and was well informed about a wide variety of subjects. He was a creative thinker and a worthy adversary.
In addition to his career as a chemical engineer and his work as a political activist, Elmer had a long record of service in other capacities. Beginning with his work at Monsanto, he recognized that management has responsibility for industrial safety. During his years in chemical plant management, he worked actively to find ways for government and management to work together responsibly for safety in mines and in the chemical industry. After his daughter, Martha Fike, died in a car accident in 1966, Elmer's role in the West Virginia Safety Council expanded to the national level, where he was influential in the establishment of seat belt and motorcycle helmet laws.
Elmer was also a musician. He played the clarinet, organizing family singing and performances when his children were still home. He sang in barbershop quartets and in a men's choir. Elmer and Frances always sang in church choirs. For the last 30 years, he sang in the choir at St. Mark's Methodist Church, where he was a member. Also, for many years until 2006, Frances played the piano and Elmer sang a solo at Otterbein Methodist Church, Nitro, providing the music program for services, before driving to Charleston to sing again at St. Mark's.
Elmer is survived by his wife, Frances; his daughters, Nancy Fike Knop and Ellen Beal, who live in Charleston; his son, Douglas Fike, who lives in Nitro; and his daughter, Mary Fike, who lives in Old Greenwich, Connecticut. He had nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Services will be 2:30 p.m. Saturday, February 10, at St. Mark's United Methodist Church, 900 Washington St. E., Charleston. The Rev. Monty Brown will officiate. Burial will follow the services in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Cooke Funeral Home, 2002 20th St., Nitro.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Methodist Foundation, 900 Washington St. E., Charleston, WV 25301, or the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, P.O. Box 2292, Charleston, WV 25328.
Condolences may be sent to the family via the Web site www.cookefuneralhome.com.
Cooke Funeral Home and Crematorium, Nitro, is in charge of arrangements
Deceased Name: Elmer A. Fike
Elmer A. Fike of Nitro was born on December 24, 1919. He died on Wednesday, February 7, 2007, with family gathered around him.
Born in Warrensburg, Missouri, Elmer graduated from Iowa State University at the age of 20 with a degree in chemical engineering. He met his wife of 66 years, Frances, at Iowa State. Elmer and Frances moved to Nitro as newlyweds in 1940 when Elmer joined Monsanto Chemical Company.
Always an independent man, Elmer started his own company in 1953 to manufacture agricultural chemicals. Fike Chemical Company eventually grew to employ as many as 60 people in Nitro. Elmer was a spokesman for the difficulties small businesses faced in meeting rapidly changing regulatory requirements and became a respected lobbyist in Washington.
Elmer Fike was an activist. A staunch member of the Republican Party, he campaigned for many candidates for office, ran for office himself, and supported conservative causes. For many years, he wrote a column, "Elmer's Tune," which was published in the Kanawha Valley Leader and other newspapers. He appeared on television and radio. He read voraciously and was well informed about a wide variety of subjects. He was a creative thinker and a worthy adversary.
In addition to his career as a chemical engineer and his work as a political activist, Elmer had a long record of service in other capacities. Beginning with his work at Monsanto, he recognized that management has responsibility for industrial safety. During his years in chemical plant management, he worked actively to find ways for government and management to work together responsibly for safety in mines and in the chemical industry. After his daughter, Martha Fike, died in a car accident in 1966, Elmer's role in the West Virginia Safety Council expanded to the national level, where he was influential in the establishment of seat belt and motorcycle helmet laws.
Elmer was also a musician. He played the clarinet, organizing family singing and performances when his children were still home. He sang in barbershop quartets and in a men's choir. Elmer and Frances always sang in church choirs. For the last 30 years, he sang in the choir at St. Mark's Methodist Church, where he was a member. Also, for many years until 2006, Frances played the piano and Elmer sang a solo at Otterbein Methodist Church, Nitro, providing the music program for services, before driving to Charleston to sing again at St. Mark's.
Elmer is survived by his wife, Frances; his daughters, Nancy Fike Knop and Ellen Beal, who live in Charleston; his son, Douglas Fike, who lives in Nitro; and his daughter, Mary Fike, who lives in Old Greenwich, Connecticut. He had nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Services will be 2:30 p.m. Saturday, February 10, at St. Mark's United Methodist Church, 900 Washington St. E., Charleston. The Rev. Monty Brown will officiate. Burial will follow the services in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Cooke Funeral Home, 2002 20th St., Nitro.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Methodist Foundation, 900 Washington St. E., Charleston, WV 25301, or the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, P.O. Box 2292, Charleston, WV 25328.
Condolences may be sent to the family via the Web site www.cookefuneralhome.com.
Cooke Funeral Home and Crematorium, Nitro, is in charge of arrangements
Charleston Gazette (WV) - February 9, 2007
Deceased Name: Elmer A. Fike
Elmer A. Fike of Nitro was born on December 24, 1919. He died on Wednesday, February 7, 2007, with family gathered around him.
Born in Warrensburg, Missouri, Elmer graduated from Iowa State University at the age of 20 with a degree in chemical engineering. He met his wife of 66 years, Frances, at Iowa State. Elmer and Frances moved to Nitro as newlyweds in 1940 when Elmer joined Monsanto Chemical Company.
Always an independent man, Elmer started his own company in 1953 to manufacture agricultural chemicals. Fike Chemical Company eventually grew to employ as many as 60 people in Nitro. Elmer was a spokesman for the difficulties small businesses faced in meeting rapidly changing regulatory requirements and became a respected lobbyist in Washington.
Elmer Fike was an activist. A staunch member of the Republican Party, he campaigned for many candidates for office, ran for office himself, and supported conservative causes. For many years, he wrote a column, "Elmer's Tune," which was published in the Kanawha Valley Leader and other newspapers. He appeared on television and radio. He read voraciously and was well informed about a wide variety of subjects. He was a creative thinker and a worthy adversary.
In addition to his career as a chemical engineer and his work as a political activist, Elmer had a long record of service in other capacities. Beginning with his work at Monsanto, he recognized that management has responsibility for industrial safety. During his years in chemical plant management, he worked actively to find ways for government and management to work together responsibly for safety in mines and in the chemical industry. After his daughter, Martha Fike, died in a car accident in 1966, Elmer's role in the West Virginia Safety Council expanded to the national level, where he was influential in the establishment of seat belt and motorcycle helmet laws.
Elmer was also a musician. He played the clarinet, organizing family singing and performances when his children were still home. He sang in barbershop quartets and in a men's choir. Elmer and Frances always sang in church choirs. For the last 30 years, he sang in the choir at St. Mark's Methodist Church, where he was a member. Also, for many years until 2006, Frances played the piano and Elmer sang a solo at Otterbein Methodist Church, Nitro, providing the music program for services, before driving to Charleston to sing again at St. Mark's.
Elmer is survived by his wife, Frances; his daughters, Nancy Fike Knop and Ellen Beal, who live in Charleston; his son, Douglas Fike, who lives in Nitro; and his daughter, Mary Fike, who lives in Old Greenwich, Connecticut. He had nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Services will be 2:30 p.m. Saturday, February 10, at St. Mark's United Methodist Church, 900 Washington St. E., Charleston. The Rev. Monty Brown will officiate. Burial will follow the services in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Cooke Funeral Home, 2002 20th St., Nitro.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Methodist Foundation, 900 Washington St. E., Charleston, WV 25301, or the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, P.O. Box 2292, Charleston, WV 25328.
Condolences may be sent to the family via the Web site www.cookefuneralhome.com.
Cooke Funeral Home and Crematorium, Nitro, is in charge of arrangements
Deceased Name: Elmer A. Fike
Elmer A. Fike of Nitro was born on December 24, 1919. He died on Wednesday, February 7, 2007, with family gathered around him.
Born in Warrensburg, Missouri, Elmer graduated from Iowa State University at the age of 20 with a degree in chemical engineering. He met his wife of 66 years, Frances, at Iowa State. Elmer and Frances moved to Nitro as newlyweds in 1940 when Elmer joined Monsanto Chemical Company.
Always an independent man, Elmer started his own company in 1953 to manufacture agricultural chemicals. Fike Chemical Company eventually grew to employ as many as 60 people in Nitro. Elmer was a spokesman for the difficulties small businesses faced in meeting rapidly changing regulatory requirements and became a respected lobbyist in Washington.
Elmer Fike was an activist. A staunch member of the Republican Party, he campaigned for many candidates for office, ran for office himself, and supported conservative causes. For many years, he wrote a column, "Elmer's Tune," which was published in the Kanawha Valley Leader and other newspapers. He appeared on television and radio. He read voraciously and was well informed about a wide variety of subjects. He was a creative thinker and a worthy adversary.
In addition to his career as a chemical engineer and his work as a political activist, Elmer had a long record of service in other capacities. Beginning with his work at Monsanto, he recognized that management has responsibility for industrial safety. During his years in chemical plant management, he worked actively to find ways for government and management to work together responsibly for safety in mines and in the chemical industry. After his daughter, Martha Fike, died in a car accident in 1966, Elmer's role in the West Virginia Safety Council expanded to the national level, where he was influential in the establishment of seat belt and motorcycle helmet laws.
Elmer was also a musician. He played the clarinet, organizing family singing and performances when his children were still home. He sang in barbershop quartets and in a men's choir. Elmer and Frances always sang in church choirs. For the last 30 years, he sang in the choir at St. Mark's Methodist Church, where he was a member. Also, for many years until 2006, Frances played the piano and Elmer sang a solo at Otterbein Methodist Church, Nitro, providing the music program for services, before driving to Charleston to sing again at St. Mark's.
Elmer is survived by his wife, Frances; his daughters, Nancy Fike Knop and Ellen Beal, who live in Charleston; his son, Douglas Fike, who lives in Nitro; and his daughter, Mary Fike, who lives in Old Greenwich, Connecticut. He had nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Services will be 2:30 p.m. Saturday, February 10, at St. Mark's United Methodist Church, 900 Washington St. E., Charleston. The Rev. Monty Brown will officiate. Burial will follow the services in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Cooke Funeral Home, 2002 20th St., Nitro.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Methodist Foundation, 900 Washington St. E., Charleston, WV 25301, or the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, P.O. Box 2292, Charleston, WV 25328.
Condolences may be sent to the family via the Web site www.cookefuneralhome.com.
Cooke Funeral Home and Crematorium, Nitro, is in charge of arrangements
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