Kyle Thompson, 83, a long-time blow molding industry executive, died Oct. 6 at Valley View Specialty Care while under the care of Care Initiatives Hospice.
Thompson started his career in the plastics industry in 1952, working in the research and development labs at Phillips Petroleum Co. In 1958, he moved to the Chicago area as district manager for the Phillips' Plastics Sales division.
He worked as a plastics sales engineer for many years, moving from Thompsonville, Conn., to Wayzata, Minn., to Amherst N.H., before moving to Eldora in 1976. Thompson became a vice president and sales manager at Quality Products, and later continued as senior vice president for Mar-Kay Plastics.
“He was helpful in building the industry — there were a few major players back then,” noted Robert Slawska, president of Proven Technology Inc. of Hillsborough, N.J.
“He made a big effort to just get people into blow molding and telling them what is blow molding,” he added.
Thompson was a board member for the Society of Plastics Engineers, served on the City Council, Industrial Development Board and as president of the Hospital Board. He was also a board member of the Rotary Club, as well as a member of the United Methodist Church and the Pine Lake Country Club.
He grew up on his family farm in rural Kansas and rode a pony to a one-room schoolhouse during his early years.
Thompson leaves his wife Marcia, two daughters and four stepchildren.