Herbert "Herb" Fuld

Herbert Fuld, 100, of Battle Creek, Michigan passed away peacefully at Bronson Battle Creek on Tuesday, October 31,
2023.

Herb was born November 6, 1922, in Frankfurt, Germany to Rudolph and Veronica (Hymmen) Fuld. He grew up in Frankfurt, living under the Hitler regime for six years and attended Philanthropin Parochial Schools until his emigration to the United States in 1938. Herb completed his education and graduated specializing in electronics courses at Englewood High School in Chicago, IL.

He honorably served in the U.S. Army Military Police, with his induction and part of his basic training at Camp Custer in
Battle Creek. Interestingly, while at Camp Custer Herb was located only a stone’s throw from where his future wife, Louise worked as a civilian stenographer. Although they had not met yet, Louise was the one who processed Herb’s induction paperwork. In 1944, Fort Custer was vacated to accommodate returning war-wounded, and Herb’s battalion along with Louise’s offices were re-located to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. It was there that he met Louise Phillips, the love of his life. He and Louise were married in Chicago on August 15, 1946, and their marriage lasted almost 70 years, until her passing on July 29, 2016.

Herb and Louise decided that a large city like Chicago wasn’t where they wanted to raise their family, so in 1949 they
decided to move to Battle Creek where Louise also had family. In 1960, Herb co-founded All-Tronics, Inc. in Battle Creek and remained Vice-President there until his retirement in 1987. Previously he was employed by Electronic Supply Company (ESCO) in Battle Creek at an exciting time in the electronics industry because Hi-Fi (High-Fidelity) audio components were just being introduced to the consumer. Demand was high for audio demonstrations and Herb’s winning personality helped to place the newest electronics in many homes and businesses in the area. He also worked for Radolek Corporation, RadioPhone, and Allied Radio Corporation all in Chicago. The latter being the world’s largest supply house of electronic components at the time, and the first company of its kind to sell mail order electronic components from a catalog.

Herb played an important part of our community over the years, having been appointed a City Commissioner in 1979 and serving until the mid-1980s. He was also an active member and chairman of the Calhoun County T.B. Association and the Calhoun County VOED Center, now the CATC. He was also a member of the of the Planning Council, Zoning Board of Appeals, Board of Review, and several other ad hoc groups. He chaired the Post/Franklin Neighborhood Council for several years. In 1988 he received a George Award for his untiring involvement in Neighborhood Improvement Organizations. In addition to his community involvement, he was also a frequent contributor to the Battle Creek Enquirer in the form of numerous community-specific articles and letters to the editor, many of which received positive reactions from community leaders and residents alike.

Herb is survived by daughters Kathryn (Cliff) Ward, Patricia Dodd, and son Herbert (Valerie) Fuld all of Battle Creek, seven loving grandchildren Christopher (Molly) Fuld, Monica (Christopher) Garzelloni, Lauren (Austin) Buckley all of Battle Creek, Trevor (Alexis) Dodd of Holland, Margaret (Justin) James of Grand Rapids, Joseph (Cayla) Fuld of Kalamazoo, and Emma (Benjamin) Goforth of Gurnee, IL, and 16 beautiful great grandchildren; Colton, Giuliana, Jax, Gabriella, Luca, Oliver, Carmen, Milo, John, Beau, Hollis, Clodagh, Matilda, Baela, Goldie, and Cosa.

He will be remembered by all who knew him as a man who dearly loved his family and a man whose personal and
professional integrity was beyond reproach. Our family’s love for our dad, grandpa “Gpa”, and great grandpa “Pop” endures.

A visitation is planned for Tuesday November 14th from 3:00-6:00 PM at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care in Battle Creek, MI.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made in Herb’s memory to the Binder Park Zoo, The Lakeview Assisted Living Employee Assistance Fund, or a charity of one’s choice. Personal messages for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.