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Obituary
William Blodgett IV, 1942 - 2023
The Brunswick News on Aug. 11, 2023
William Winthrop Blodgett IV died in Petoskey, MI on August 8th, 2023, at 9:44 AM after complications from a stroke. Bill was born in Washington D.C. on February 9, 1942, the son of Martha Mary Morgan and William W. Blodgett Jr. He grew up in Palm Beach, Florida, attended Graham-Eckes school and Penn Charter school in Philadelphia, PA, and became an outstanding tennis and baseball player. He attended The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania majoring in economics. After gaining his CPA, Bill worked as an auditor for Price Waterhouse, CFO of Globe Rubber Products, Philadelphia, PA, and Treasurer of Emery Air Freight, Wilton, CT. In 1976, he acquired Roberts Cartage, Akron, OH. Bill introduced the idea of expedited freight and later pioneered the use of GPS logistics in trucks as Roberts Express became the #1 trucking company in the USA over the next 7 years. Bill sold Roberts Express in 1986. Roberts Express is known today as FedEx Custom Critical. Bill spent seven years, from 1991 to 1997, circumnavigating the globe in his 63' sailboat, Pegaso, with his then wife, Alicia, earning an MBA from the University of Chicago (Barcelona) along the way. This period is chronicled in Alicia's book, "Just The Two Of Us". After a brief time teaching entrepreneurship at Palm Beach Atlantic University from 1997-1999, Bill acquired Holland Pump Company, West Palm Beach, FL in 1999, which he sold in 2016. In 2007, he founded LobePro of Brunswick, Georgia, which continues today as a worldwide manufacturer and distributer of pumps.
Throughout his life, Bill was a nationally competitive tennis player, fine golfer, enthusiastic skier and scuba diver, expert sailor, and avid pilot. Over the years he was active in many charities including the American Cancer Society, held civic appointments including Park Commissioner of Akron, OH and received awards such as Northwood University's National Outstanding Business Leader award in 1987. He was an active member of various social and athletic clubs, including the Germantown Cricket Club, the Firestone Club, the Sea Island Club, the Everglades Club, the Bath & Tennis Club, & the Little Harbor Club where he enjoyed socializing with his many dear friends as well as playing golf and tennis. Bill also served on the Board and as Treasurer of Palm Beach Atlantic University for over two decades, which held a special place in his heart.
Bill will be remembered for his genius as a businessman, beloved by his employees, admired as a role model, his life-long athleticism, his love of bridge, games, history, learning, dancing and dance music, as well as his eternal optimism, his genuine, kind and gentle spirit, and his very strong faith in Jesus Christ. He lived a truly adventurous and meaningful life.
Bill was married four times. In 1962, he married Cecile Clover of Charlottesville, VA and had two sons, William Winthrop Blodgett V and Burtt Byron Blodgett. Divorced in 1973, he was married to Sherry Congdon of Greenwich, CT from 1975 to 1987. After their first date, he proposed to and married Alicia Cuomo in 1988. Bill and Alicia had a 32-year marriage until Alicia passed away in 2020. Bill's final marriage was to Sandy Thompson in 2021. Bill and Sandy enjoyed their wonderful life together in Palm Beach, FL and Harbor Springs, MI.
Bill is survived by his loving wife Sandy; son Win Blodgett and daughter-in-law Shelley and grandchildren, Orianah, Madeline, Liam, and Maeve, and great grandson, Arthur Holyfield of West Palm Beach and Charlottesville, VA; son Burtt Blodgett and daughter-in-law Lisa and granddaughter Emma of Mill Valley, CA; step-son Bob Weldon and wife Mia, and their children Sophia, Isabelle, and Bric, Westfield, NJ; sister Jean Blodgett Bruns and husband Dan of a Boxford, MA; brother Edward W. Blodgett and wife Betsy of Rancho Santa Fe, CA; sister-in-law Susan Overton of Hillsborough, NC; stepdaughter Shari Jorge and children Mercedes and Marcus of Asheville, NC; stepson Scott Peterson and children Alex, Warner Robins, Ga. and PJ of Varnamtown, NC; stepson Kurt Peterson and wife, Gina and children Robbie and Elena of Hickory, NC; and stepson, Todd Peterson and Todd's stepdaughter, Madison Getgood of West Palm Beach; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held in Palm Beach, FL in the future. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations in his honor be made to either of the following:
First Serve of West Palm Beach
Attn: Jenny Gekas
P.O Box 1353
West Palm Beach, FL 33402
Palm Beach Atlantic University Annual Fund |
| [Write-up and
photo from 2000]
Education: BS Economics,
1964 University of Pennsylvania MBA with Honors,1995 University of Chicago
Business: Price Waterhouse, 1964 to 1969, Auditor
and consultant Globe Rubber Products,1969 to 1972, VP Finance and Director
Emery Air Freight,1972 to 1975, Treasurer Roberts Express, 1976 to 1988,
President and Owner Roadway Services, 1988 to 1990, Group Vice President and
Director Palm Beach Atlantic College, 1998 to 1999, Director of
Entrepreneurship Holland Pump Co, 1999 to date, President and Owner. My son
Billy works with me.
Personal: Married Cecile Clover, 1962; divorced
1973; 2 children William and Burtt. Billy is married and has 3 children.
Married Nancy Congdon, 1975; divorced 1987; no children. Married Alicia
Coumo, 1988 to date; no children by our marriage. We are very happy. Sailed
around world from 1990 thru 1997 on our sailboat Pegaso. Alicia wrote
a book about our experience called Just the Two of Us.
Civic-current: Palm Beach Civic Association,
Director American Cancer Society, Palm Beach, Vice Chairman Palm Beach
Atlantic College, Trustee
Hobbies: Love tennis and sailing, play golf and
bridge
"I am in the rear making believe I'm the quarterback. I
think I see Alan and Duncan McFarland in the front row."
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