Louis B. Close  1921 - 2016 

Louis B. Close, age 94, died Novebmer 18, 2016, in Tarpon Springs, FL.   He was born Dec. 15, 1921, in Millersburg, Ohio, the son of Frank H. Close and his wife, Matilda Barnes Close.
 
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, James Close; his beloved wife, Marjorie Young Close; and their son, Steven A. Close.
 
Louis was a graduate of Duke University Pratt School of Engineering and the Harvard Business School.  While at Duke, he was tapped to be a member of Delta Epsilon Sigma, the highest award for Engineering and Leadership.  His greatest joy was playing his trumpet in the Duke Blue Devil Band for four years.
 
Louis served in the Navy where he was assigned to the Naval Research Center in Washington, D.C.   He later was employed by the General Electric Company for 20 years, where his abilities were used in several management postions.   In 1969, he became a professor in the Business School at Gannon University in Erie, PA.   He retired in 1984.   He was an avid golfer, with memberships at Cypress Run Golf Club and Innisbrook.  He won all the Championships at Innisbrook several years ago.

Several years ago, he established a scholarship at Wadsworth High School in
Louis B. Close, age 94, died Novebmer 18, 2016, in Tarpon Springs, FL.   He was born Dec. 15, 1921, in Millersburg, Ohio, the son of Frank H. Close and his wife, Matilda Barnes Close.
 
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, James Close; his beloved wife, Marjorie Young Close; and their son, Steven A. Close.
 
Louis was a graduate of Duke University Pratt School of Engineering and the Harvard Business School. While at Duke, he was tapped to be a member of Delta Epsilon Sigma, the highest award for Engineering and Leadership. His greatest joy was playing his trumpet in the Duke Blue Devil Band for four years.
 
Louis served in the Navy where he was assigned to the Naval Research Center in Washington, D.C. He later was employed by the General Electric Company for 20 years, where his abilities were used in several management postions. In 1969, he became a professor in the Business School at Gannon University in Erie, PA. He retired in 1984.   He was an avid golfer, with memberships at Cypress Run Golf Club and Innisbrook.  He won all the Championships at Innisbrook several years ago. 

Several years ago, he established a scholarship at Wadsworth High School in memory of his father, Frank Close, Superintendent of Wadsworth City Schools from 1926 to 1946.
 
Louis is survived by his wife of 44 years, Betty M. Taylor Close; daughter Margaret "Peggy" A. Fuhrman and her husband, Garrett; granddaughter, Dr. Dana Young Fuhrman and her husband Attorney Brian Wuenschell; grandson, Garrett Close Fuhrman; stepdaughters, Kartherine T. Carney, Holly T. Morse and her husband, Attorney Daniel Morse; grandchildren, Bradley Carney, Colin Carney and wife Jenny, Emily C. McLane and her husband Travis, Katie Morse, Jennifer Morse, Daniel T. Morse and wife Tara, and many nieces and nephews.
 
At Louis' request, the family will join in late summer in Erie, PA., for his Celebration of Life.
 
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Homelss Empowerment Program, 1120 North Betty Lane, Clearwater, FL. 33755.
 memory of his father, Frank Close, Superintendent of Wadsworth City Schools from 1926 to 1946. 
 

Louis is survived by his wife of 44 years, Betty M. Taylor Close;  daughter Margaret "Peggy" A. Fuhrman and her husband, Garrett;  granddaughter, Dr. Dana Young Fuhrman and her husband Attorney Brian Wuenschell;  grandson, Garrett Close Fuhrman;  stepdaughters, Kartherine T. Carney, Holly T. Morse and her husband, Attorney Daniel Morse;  grandchildren, Bradley Carney, Colin Carney and wife Jenny, Emily C. McLane and her husband Travis, Katie Morse, Jennifer Morse, Daniel T. Morse and wife Tara;   and many nieces and nephews.
 
At Louis' request, the family will join in late summer in Erie, PA., for his Celebration of Life.
 
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Homelss Empowerment Program, 1120 North Betty Lane, Clearwater, FL. 33755. 
   




Louis Close
Wadsworth High School
Graduating Class of 1940 


WHS Dramatic Club, 1939-40.  Row 1:  Ruth Flood, Irene Postak, Janet Hackenberg, Justine Williams, Evelyn Overholt, Betty Standen, Ruth Weinsheimer, Jane Malaney, Charlotte Overholt, Geann Bachman.  Row 2: Carlyle Freeborn, Betty Hood, Marjorie Young, Dorothy Swartz, Pauline Shenk, Geraldine Barnett, Patsy Simester, Jim Favinger, Carl Lee, Mr. Giffin (Advisor).  Row 3:  Arwood Sterrett, Bob Gaston, David Farnsworth, Don Simester, Richard Peterson, Don Nellis, Louis Close, Bill Barton.  Row 4:  Byron Houseworth, Bill Anderson, Dick McGinnis, Don Blair, Stacy Douglas, Charles Taylor, Robert Gairing, Bill Dague, Harold Bunnelle.

WHS Intramural Basketball Team.  Standing:  Russell Perkins, John Bacso, Joe Dispenza, Melvin Mumaw.  Seated:  Louis Close, Bill Saunders.
 
Together for 12 Years, Central School Building.  Front: Ted Conover, Olive Martin, Ramona Greene, Jane Malaney, Donna Kruse, Kathleen Gerberich, Charles Boso.  Back: Gordon Houston, Don Blair, Wilbert Sanders, Robert Gairing, Louis Close, John Bidinger, Byron Houseworth. 
_____________________________________________________________  
Julie Batey  (WHS 1985), Chair, Wadsworth High School Alumni Association. 524 Broad Street, Wadsworth OH 44281.  
Past obituaries, class information, and alumni news is available at www.wadsworthalumni.com.  Please contact us at whsalumni.1@gmail.com. To view WCTV television programs featuring Wadsworth High School and other Wadsworth news, go to http://my.pegcentral.com.   Please consider becoming a supporting member of the Alumni Association by sending a check addressed to "WHS ALUMNI ASSOC."  for $10 (annual dues) or $100 (lifetime dues) to Sally Porter, WHSAA Treasurer, 524 Broad Street, Wadsworth, OH 44281.  Memorial donations in honor of the deceased may also be sent to the WHS Alumni Association at the address above.