BOCA GRANDE, Fla. (Jan. 8, 2009) - Paul Kruder, founder and president of Akron-based Computerized Information Management Services Inc. and a vocal advocate of tire registration for nearly four decades, died Jan. 2 in Boca Grande. He was 82.
Kruder founded CIMS in 1970 on the heels of the Motor Vehicle Act of 1969 requiring registration of highway tires for recall purposes. The company sells and records registration cards and acts as a clearinghouse for several manufacturers and tire dealerships.
After serving in the Navy during World War II, Kruder worked for the former Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. as a financial manager in Akron. He later worked for Ferro Corp. and Mohawk Rubber Co. before starting his own company.
Preceded in death by his son, Paul, he is survived by his wife, Susan; daughter, Kathleen Kruder Turner; and two grandchildren.