Gerrard Wendell Haworth
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Gerrard Wendell Haworth (October 11, 1911 - October 25, 2006), better known as G. W. Haworth, was the founder of office furniture manufacturer Haworth (company).
Born in Nebraska, he moved to Benton Harbor, Michigan in 1926, where he attended high school. After graduating from Western Michigan University, he taught industrial arts at Holland High School in Holland, Michigan.
Hoping to earn extra money to put his children through college, Haworth started s woodworking shop in his garage in 1945. Three years later, he quit teaching to focus on his new company full time, which was known as Modern Products.
In 1975, his company moved to a new facility along Michigan Highway 40. In recognition of the move, the company became Haworth, Inc. In 2003, he cut back from working five days a week to three.
In 2005, G. W. Haworth retired completely from the company he started. During the 1940s, he started a woodworking shop in his garage, and in 1948 he founded Modern Products which later became Haworth Inc. Haworth died on the morning of October 25, 2006, aged 95.
[edit] Philanthropy
G. W. Haworth was a major supporter of many West Michigan causes.
Western Theological Seminary, Hope College, Grand Valley State University his alma mater Western Michigan University as well as the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Holland have all benefited from Haworth's donations.
