Former American Retreaders Association director Ed Wagner dies

Ed Wagner, the former director of the American Retreaders Association died late Wednesday evening in a hospice in Louisville, Kentucky. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Martha, 5 sons, 4 daughters, and 9 grandchildren. The TIA – of which the ARA was an originating source, becoming the International Tire and Rubber Association and later merged with TANA – released the following statement to mark his passing: "In 1968, Ed succeeded George Edwards at ARA. Ed managed the ARA Louisville Conference for 20 years as it grew to become one of the top 200 industrial trade shows in the United States. During that time, ARA's membership grew from 250 to over 1,600 members.

“From 1956-58, Ed served as the Retreading Institute Director at the National Tire Dealers and Retreaders Association. For over 30 years he also wrote for Modern Tire Dealer. Ed was inducted into the Tire Industry Hall of Fame in 1998.

“TIA executive vice president Roy Littlefield said: ‘Ed had a tremendous positive impact on the industry, on the Association, and on me. Ed Wagner was a prince. He was fair-minded, witty, enthusiastic, respectful and warm. He was one of the most intelligent individuals I have ever known.

“‘Ed Wagner was a proud man. He was proud of his wife, Martha, and of his large and loving family. He was proud of his Catholic traditions, and he was proud of our industry Association.

“‘Over the years that I had an opportunity to work with Ed, he always had time to share his wisdom with me. Right up to our last telephone conversation, he was full of energy to put a new strategy into play.

“‘I can truly say that I am a better person because of Ed Wagner. We all are. God bless.'”