KEOKUK, IOWA, US — Anthony F. “TR” Raimondo, former chief executive officer and owner of Behlen Mfg. Co., died on Nov. 9. He was 83.

Raimondo led a management buyout of Behlen from the Wickes Corp. in 1984 and returned it to local ownership. He went on to lead a successful turnaround of the company.

Behlen currently has six manufacturing facilities across the United States and more than 1,000 employees.

Raimondo retired as chairman emeritus in 2019.

He had multiple government, national, state and community board positions and earned several distinguished awards.

He also had several political appointments, including a run for US Senate in 2008. In 2004, under President George W. Bush, Raimondo was selected as first ever Manufacturing Czar – Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Manufacturing and Services (but withdrew due to presidential politics).

Raimondo was born on July 24, 1939, in Buffalo, New York, US, the only child of Carmela (Turchiarelli) and Felix “Phil” Raimondo. He married Jeanne English on Aug. 27, 1960.

He earned his bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from Michigan Technology University. Prior to joining Wickes, he worked for General Motors; Moog, an aerospace company; and Sperry Corp. He earned his master of business administration degree from the University of Rochester in 1972.

He competed on the national circuit in handball, his favorite sport, and won his last doubles tournament at the age of 81.

Raimondo and his wife had four children: Philip, Tony Jr., Linda, and Diana. He also had many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife and son Philip.

Raimondo’s favorite quote was, "People do not care what you know, until they know that you care!”