Milwaukee — LeRoy D. "Roy" Luther, the former owner of toolmaker Triangle Tool Corp., died Sept. 5 at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee, after a brief illness. He was 84.
Luther was born in Plain, Wis., and raised on a small farm. After graduating from Baraboo High School, he started as an apprentice tool and die maker at Flambeau Plastics in Baraboo in July 1955.
In 1968, he and Lois, his wife of more than 61 years, moved to Brookfield, Wis., when he joined Triangle Tool. At the time, Triangle employed six.
Luther became the sole owner in 1981.
Under his guidance, Triangle made molds of all types, with a specialty in large injection molding tools. In 2010, the company won the Leadtime Leader Award in the large-shop category from Moldmaking Technology magazine.
Luther served in the National Guard, was a member of the Baraboo Theatre Guild, and played fast-pitch softball. Throughout his lifetime he has been an avid fisherman, hunter, bowler, golfer, card player and Green Bay Packers fan. He was the longest running member of the Baraboo Elks Lodge 688.
"Everyone who knew Roy knew his strong faith and love of family and friends. He touched everyone he met with his genuine smile and big heart," the family wrote in his obituary.
Visitation will be 4-7 p.m., Sept. 8, at the Redlin-Ertz Funeral Home in Baraboo. Services will be at 11 a.m. Sept. 9 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, with visitation at the church starting at 10 a.m.