HOLLAND, Ohio (June 4)—James H. Bugert, long-time president and owner of Ottawa Rubber Co., died May 15 of a heart attack at his home in Holland at age 64.
Bugert had been in excellent health, and died unexpectedly in his sleep, said his son, Mike.
James Bugert grew up in the Toledo, Ohio, area, and attended John Carroll University in Cleveland, where he earned a degree in mathematics. After graduating he immediately went to work for Ottawa Rubber, where his father, Clody, was president and owner of the molded and extruded products maker.
James Bugert started in sales, and later was general manager. He became president of the company in 1976.
Mike Bugert has succeeded his father as president of the family-owned business. He has spent 11 year with Ottawa and was serving general manager.
James Bugert was a long-time member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Sylvania, and was active in the Toledo Diocese. He was a board member of the Toledo Rotary, and belonged to the Stone Oak Country Club and Little Shrimps of Toledo.
His survivors include his wife of 37 years, Jeanie; daughters Kristi DelVerne of Sylvania, Jenny Norman of Mt. Pleasant, S.C., and Gretchen Williams of Sylvania; nine grandchildren, two sisters and two brothers.