David Brod Obituary

David R. Brod

Mar 15, 2025 - Feb 21, 2025

Huron

David Richard Brod passed away Friday, February 21, 2025, at his son's home in Huron, due to a fall.

Dave was born June 25, 1936, in Sandusky to the late Clayton and Marion Brod. He graduated from Ohio University in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science in Education and married his late wife of 49 years, Florence Frye, that same year.

Dave was a talented and passionate builder and repairer of just about anything. Growing up on the family farm on Hahn Road in Berlin Township, he learned early to make what was needed and repair what was broken. His family received numerous restored radios, wooden decorations, handmade furniture, and countless wooden bowls he built. He even built a wooden clock. He spent hours working on his beloved '65 Ford Galaxie 500, '93 Chevy S10, and '56 Ford 600 tractor, using his skills and knowledge to keep them in excellent running condition.

Though Dave received his teaching certificate in Industrial Arts, he ultimately decided to pursue a career in manufacturing instead of teaching. Dave's skill at fabrication and repair led to a highly successful 40 career at United States Gypsum (USG). He progressed from a third-shift tool and die setter at USG's Donn Products facility in Westlake to become a respected industrial engineer and machinery designer at USG's Stockton, California facility. He automated and significantly improved the manufacturing lines in Stockton and other USG facilities leading to two USG Chairman's Awards. His talents were so highly regarded, he was chosen to lead the set-up of USG facilities in China and Australia.

While working full-time at Donn Products, Dave also owned a TV and radio repair business, following in the footsteps of his late brother Robert Brod. His children fondly remember driving him to his evening appointments as part of their driver education.

Dave loved traveling in the Western United States; he took the family somewhere new every summer. He enjoyed shooting Super 8 movies of their adventures and showing them off to the family back in Ohio. His children will always remember riding in the back of his rudimentarily converted pick-up truck and holding up signs to communicate when they needed to make stops.

Dave's enthusiasm for the West eventually led him to leave Donn Products and their home in Elyria in 1978 to move to Tucson, Arizona, to escape the cold and snow and try TV and radio repair full-time. Unfortunately, the technology was changing rapidly making it a challenging field to work full-time. Former Donn Products colleagues enticed him to rejoin the firm to work at the USG Stockton facility. He was not disappointed in the change, thoroughly enjoying the weather and taking advantage of the wealth of outdoor activities in the region.

In 2001, Dave and Florence moved back to Ohio to be with family and take over the family homestead in Huron. He worked countless hours restoring the house and improving the grounds, ensuring it will be a legacy for future generations.

In his last few years, Dave found enjoyment in staying active, cooking, growing way too many house plants, starting plants for the garden, and doting on his cats Lily, Tulip, and Blackie. He could usually be found sitting in the sunny den talking to his brother Chuck and Chuck's wife Kay during their Tuesday visits, hosting his sister Marianne during her periodic stays, and reading and watching documentaries on how things are made.

Dave is survived by his sister, Marianne (Brod) Leese and her husband Richard; brother, Charles ("Chuck") Brod and his wife, Kathleen (Sutherland); and sister-in-law, Doreen Brod (McKinney); his children, David Brod and his wife,Cynthia (Mueller), Barbara (Brod) Smart, and Stephen and his wife, Naomi Hashimoto; grandchildren, Jason Smart, Anri Brod, Hana Brod, and Carly Brod.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Florence (Frye) Brod; his brother, Robert ("Bob") Brod; and his granddaughter, Jessica Smart.

We will miss Dave's quiet strength, wisdom, wit, and thoughtfulness. He had an impact on those who he loved. We take comfort in the many memories we shared with him.

A celebration of his life will be from 10-12 p.m. Saturday, March 22, 2025, at Foster Funeral Home in Huron.