From Dennis Richmond, vice president of Reishauer: We are deeply saddened with the recent passing of Richard Breidenstein, one of our industry’s pioneers in gear manufacturing and technology application. On Saturday March 10, 2012 he lost the fight with his CHF illness. Those who knew Dick understood his passion for dancing, playing the accordion, traveling, golfing, playing with his cat Mandy, and enjoying his family. Some of his happiest and fulfilling moments were playing with his 10 grandchildren.
Dick got his start in the gear industry just out of high school in 1953 as an apprentice for Oliver Gear in Buffalo, New York. His first assignment was cutting gears on a hobbing machine. Oliver Gear thought so much of Dick that they encouraged him to seek additional education to advance his skills, and they even paid for his tuition. After earning his degree in tool design from Erie County Technical Institute in 1961 he was promoted to estimator for Oliver Gear. He worked there until 1971. After that he moved to the Chicago area to take a position with Illinois Gear. Later, in 1977, he opened his own shop—Geometric Machine in Bensenville, Illinois. Unfortunately, due to poor economic conditions he was forced to close the doors in 1981. He then went to work for Chicago Gear as a manager of production. In 1985, when the desire to be his own boss again was overwhelming, he formed the company Rebco Industrial Products. Over the decades he was able to use his vast knowledge of the industry, along with his numerous contacts, to build a successful business in the gear industry selling new and used gear cutting tools. We salute his achievements.
Condolences can be made to his loving wife of 57 years, Beverly Breidenstein, at 12355 Laurel Lane, Huntley, Illinois, 60142.
