Todd Wehr (April 14, 1889 -September 28, 1965), industrialist and philanthropist was co-founder of the Wehr Steel Company and founder of the Todd Wehr Foundation, Inc. C. Frederick "Todd" Wehr was a graduate of West Division High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and of Cornell University, in Ithaca, New York.[1]
He and his brothers comprised the executive team of the Wehr Steel Company, which was founded in 1910 by his father, Henry Wehr. The company manufactured steel alloy castings for machine parts, as well as magnetic separators and brakes. During World War II, it received numerous "E" awards from the government for excellence in steel production.
In 1958, the company was re-organized as a division of the Wehr Corporation. Wehr became the chairman of the board, a position he held until his retirement in 1963.
Wehr left the bulk of his estate to a trust set up for charitable religious, scientific and educational purposes. Many Wisconsin universities and cultural organizations have benefited from the Todd Wehr Foundation, including Viterbo University, which received a grant to renovate the facility that now bears the name Todd Wehr Memorial Library.[2] Marquette University also benefited from Wehr's philanthropy. Marquette has named its entire science complex after Wehr as well as a theater.[1]
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Venturedyne bought Wehr Steel in 1986.
The Todd Wehr Foundation is located at:
55 East Wells Street Suite 1900 Milwaukee, WI 53202-3819 414-273-2100
Contact Person: Allan E. Iding
Officers/Directors: James A. Feddrsen Richard J. Harland Allan E. Iding M. James Termondt
Donors: C. Frederic "Todd" Wehr, deceased
Purpose: Primarily local Milwaukee giving, with emphasis on elementary school and high school. The foundation focuses on large memorial gifts payable over several (Up to 10) years, with emphasis on capital projects affecting children.
Application Procedures: Initial approach by letter; submit 1 copy of proposal; board meets quarterly.
Geographic Focus: Generally limited to the state of Wisconsin, with increased emphasis on capital projects in Milwaukee.
Grants awarded: Milwaukee, Police Athletic League: $10,000; Next Door Foundation, $10,000; Garden Homes Lutheran School; $50,000; La Causa, Inc.; $50,000; St. Marcus Lutheran School; $50,000; Silver Spring Neighborhood Center; $10,000, and Harambee School Development Corporation; $40,000.
Carroll University in Waukesha, WI also has a Todd Wehr Memorial Library. St. Norbert College in De Pere, WI has a Todd Wehr Library. However, this library was renovated in Fall 2009 in favor for The Miriam B. and James J. Mulva Library. What is now Todd Wehr Hall includes a campus community center, administrative offices and community support centers. [1] Medical College of Wisconsin in Wawautosa, WI also has a Todd Wehr Memorial Library in honor of Mr.Wehr. Ripon College also has a building dedicated to Todd Wehr, which houses the mathematics, business, and psychology departments. Milwaukee School of Engineering in Milwaukee, WI has The Todd Wehr Conference Center [2] which is located at the southwest corner of Broadway and Highland Street. The Center is used for seminars, conferences, meetings and guest lectures, bands and other entertainment. Carthage College in Kenosha, WI also has a Todd Wehr Center. It houses the Dean of Students office, conference rooms, the school's only cafeteria, WOH's place for entertaining, and the mail room. It once also housed a food court but it closed when the new student center opened in the summer of 2011.