CHICAGO—Thomas E. Salisbury, 89, who started at Firestone as a chemical engineer and advanced in his 33-year career to president of Firestone Synthetic and Latex Co., died June 19 at St. Paul's House in Chicago.
Born in Bradford, Pa., Salisbury served during World War II as a pilot on a B-17 bomber, flying from an aircraft carrier for the 614th Squadron of the 401st Army Air Force unit. He attained the rank of first lieutenant.
After the war, he attended Pennsylvania State College, and graduated with a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering in 1949.
During his years at Firestone, he was a Sloan Scholar at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, traveled internationally, and lived in both France and England.
He held numerous positions, including director of the Synthetic Division of Firestone-France, as well as head of Firestone Synthetic and Latex.
He met his wife, Claude Villa, while working in France.
They returned to Silver Lake, Ohio, in 1967, where they raised their daughter, Anne.
Salisbury enjoyed traveling, gardening, golf, jogging, reading and watching Penn State University football, as well as spending time with family and friends in the U.S. and France.
He is survived by his wife and daughter.