Ash Sinnett: 'A legacy of leadership.'.

For nearly 22 years, I had the good fortune of working for, and with, Ash Sinnett. Some others here at AFS knew him even longer. So when he passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on January 4, it was not only shocking; his passing left an overwhelming sense of loss.

Ash was a lot of things to a lot of different people. For some, he was a mentor. For many others, he was a friend. To others, he was "the boss." To most people who knew him, though, he was a bit of a character. Let's just put it this way: Ash was not a creature of this age of political correctness. He was a straight-shooting, blunt-spoken foundry guy. More than anything else, Ash was both a foundryman and a leader.

He basically followed in the footsteps of his father, Ashley C. Sinnett, who spent a good portion of his working career working in the foundry industry. So it was no surprise that Ash worked many of his summers in the foundry.

After graduating from Michigan State Univ. (MSU) in 1952, Ash taught patternmaking, metallurgy and manufacturing processes there for two years. He earned his Master of Science degree from MSU in 1954 and then joined AFS as its first education director. AFS was the perfect place for a guy who loved both metalcasting and education.

In 1963, he was named general manager of AFS and executive vice president in 1966. For two decades, Ash used his leadership skills to shape and grow the Society. His vision for the foundry industry is particularly evident in the educational branch of AFS - the Cast Metals Institute. It was his dedication to foundry education that led to the construction and growth of the CMI programs and facilities. It has been said that no other industry has the type of training facilities that makes CMI one of the finest industry training centers in the world. Ash never could accept second best.

The buildings and equipment that today comprise the Harris and Ryan Laboratories of CMI all came from industry donations. You see, his ability to sell his vision to the industry was as important as his vision itself. That's leadership.

Officially, Ash retired in 1983, but he continued to work for the Society on a variety of special projects until 1987. That year, he took over the management of CastExpo. In the 11 years that he oversaw CastExpo, it became one of the largest and finest shows of its type in the world. His presence at next month's show will certainly be missed.

Ash spent much of his time during the last 10 years living in Door County, Wisconsin, working with his wife, Dee, a very talented artist. Of course, that and golf and other hobbies weren't enough to keep the hyperactive Ash Sinnett busy. A few years ago, he was asked if would help Door County's Peninsula Art School establish a metal melting laboratory for those students who wanted to cast their sculptures. All they had to do was ask.

Almost, before they knew it, he had contacted some his old industry friends and they donated nearly everything the school needed. They say that he never missed a pour at the school. At the time of his death, Ash was in the middle of overseeing a major addition to the school and was also serving on the school's board of directors.

For everything he accomplished in life, nothing gave Ash more pride than his family. During the time he was "the boss," it is hard to remember a time when one of Dee's paintings wasn't gracing the walls of his office. And if you ever wanted to see him smile and his eyes sparkle, all you had to do was ask him how his sons, Kevin and Johnny, were doing. During the last few years, that same sparkle was evident as he regaled you with stories about his grandkids.

While it's difficult to accept that ASh is gone, he left the American foundry industry and AFS a legacy that will not be forgotten. It is a legacy of leadership, vision and caring.

Farewell Ash, and thanks for everything.