Canton Bandag founder dies

CANTON, Ohio — Everett David Richards, founder of Canton Bandag Co., died July 4 at age 87.

A U.S. Army Korean War veteran, he worked in the local steel mills before taking a job at S&S Tire in Barberton, Ohio, where he learned to change semi-truck tires.

Upon hearing about the then-new Bandag retreading process, Mr. Everett and three partners invested $1,000 each to open one of the original Bandag retreading shops in Akron in 1959.

"As you may imagine it was rough going in those times. 'Bandag? Never heard of it' was many a comment to overcome, but slowly and with much perseverance a small customer base began," said his son Dave Richards, adding, "My father cherished each customer because he knew there were other places his customers could do business with. But my dad earned their trust and they knew he was honest with them at all times and, when failures happened, he always made it right and was very responsive."

It 1962, a financial crisis forced the business to close. Mr. Richards found another financial backer in Carlton B. Coen and later that year, with $ 7,200, franchised Canton Bandag Co. in Canton.

"Dad had advertised that he would cap any size tire and eventually was taken to court over this claim by one of the major tire makers. It was agreed upon in court that three tires would be supplied to my dad for retreading by the complainant. One tire was a 4.10/3.50-4, another was a 6.00-6 airplane tire and the last was a 6.00-23 Studebaker tire. Dad was given one week to return with the tires retreaded. The big guys thought they had him. I have the tires still today as a constant reminder you need only believe and trust in the Lord. Dad never backed down when he was in the right," said his son, who grew up working with him in the business.

Canton Bandag moved to a new 24,000-sq.-ft. facility in Canton in 2000 where the company manufactures solid antique rubber tires, specializes in retreading industrial solid rubber, foam-filled, pneumatic and medium truck tires, as well as offers VIS semi-truck aluminum wheel polishing.

After retiring, Mr. Richards would still visit the business nearly every day until his health worsened in late 2014, according to his son, who now operates the business.

Preceded in death by his wife, Joy Ann, he is survived by sons Everett Dave (Candace) Jr. and Daniel (Pati); daughters Rebecca (Douglas) Gross and Kimberly (Greg) Sloan; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.