Widely respected mold maker and free spirit Robert Charles "Chuck" Massie died at age 70 at his home in South Pasadena, Fla., on Nov. 18.
Massie grew up in St. Petersburg, Fla., and joined the family business Massie Tool & Mold after graduating from high school. He eventually took over the business as president.
In 1978 Chuck Massie and his brothers David and Steven formed a new mold building company now known as Cavaform International LLC. That St. Petersburg business now employs more than 75 making high-precision molds for various injection molding markets. David Massie continues with Cavaform as its president.
Chuck Massie learned his trade when injection molded plastics began to seriously challenge metal in a wide range of industries. Clients included blue chip companies such as IBM, Bic, Black & Decker and Procter & Gamble. He was always ready to help a customer and it was not unusual, for example, for him to excitedly illustrate his ideas on a paper napkin during a dinner meeting.
"He cared about solving problems," David Massie told Plastics News.
Chuck Massie networked through membership in the American Mold Builders Association and the Society of the Plastics Industry Inc., now called the Plastics Industry Association.
Chuck Massie showed his adventurous streak in the many sports he loved. He was happiest in the water where he became an accomplished free diver, water skier and a yachtsman. On land, he preferred driving Corvette sports cars and owned nine of them through his lifetime. Sky diving and snow skiing were other high-intensity sports he pursued.
Chuck Massie was predeceased by his parents, Robert L. and Mary M. Massie. He is survived by his wife Diana, two children, his brothers and four grandchildren. His life will be celebrated at Pasadena Community Church in St. Petersburg on Dec. 8.