George Todd

George Newell Todd, age 78, passed away peacefully at home on July 22 surrounded by his family. George was born on July 10, 1948, in Chicago, Illinois, to Paul H. Todd Jr. and Ruth (Newell) Todd. He spent childhood summers in Montana with his grandmother, Adeline. He grew up in Michigan, graduating from Kalamazoo Central High School before attending Earlham College. From 1969 to 1971, George served in the Vietnam War. Upon returning home, he studied communal living at Kalamazoo Valley Community College (KVCC), which later honored him with its Distinguished Alumni Award. In 1972, George's entrepreneurial and creative spirit led him to co-found the Tech-Ether Guild, an intentional living community in Kalamazoo Michigan where he would live and work with a close-knit group of friends and his future wife, Clare, for the next decade. George and Clare married in 1974, welcoming Sarah in 1976 and Martha in 1978. Together they built their home at Bass Lake which they moved into in 1981. George joined Kalsec, Inc in 1983. Over his decades-long career, he served as President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the Board. He successfully guided the company through major global expansion while firmly prioritizing environmental sustainability. In March 2018, he stepped down as CEO to become Executive Chairman, passing leadership to the next generation while maintaining his commitment to the family enterprise. A dedicated secular humanist, George believed deeply in leaving the world better than he found it. He served as the Chairman of the Board for the Kalamazoo Nature Center, a board member for Pathfinder International, a board member for Earth University, and was a passionate supporter of Planned Parenthood. He also successfully championed the capital campaign for the Woolham Preserve. In December 2018, in recognition of his 25 years of profound commitment to sustainable agriculture and education, George was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humanities from EARTH University in Costa Rica. George had an insatiable appetite for learning and a profound curiosity about the natural world. He was a musician, gardener, biker, reader, and birdwatcher, woodworker, belt buckle designer and pragmatist. George is survived by his wife Clare (Koestner); his daughters, Sarah and Martha; and his four grandchildren, Andrew, Edie, Rose, and Esme. At George's request there will not be a funeral service. A celebration will be held at the Kalamazoo Nature Center at a later date. In lieu of flowers please consider donating in his name to the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy. Please share memories and condolences with his family at

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