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Winship Todd

December 8, 2020
Kalamazoo, MI

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Todd, Winship A. Winship A. Todd passed away on December 8, 2020. He was a leading figure in the U.S. commercial mint oil industry as well as a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather and a leader in the Kalamazoo community where he was born in 1918. Following graduation from his beloved Williams College in 1940, he commenced graduate studies in chemistry at the University of Chicago. These were halted by the outbreak of hostilities with Japan in 1941. Kept from active service by a heart murmur, he went to work for the Hercules Smokeless Powder Company in Radford, Virginia manufacturing gunpowder. At the conclusion of the war, he returned to Kalamazoo, joining the A.M. Todd Company, a family business engaged in the commercial production of mint essential oils founded by his grandfather in 1869. These were used to flavor leading oral care, chewing gum and confectionary brands. He also met and subsequently married Mary Louise Stephenson in April, 1946, his wife of 74 years who survives him together with their three children, seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren. The Company was at a crossroads. Explosive growth of major U.S. chewing gum and toothpaste brands following the war along with burgeoning overseas demand fueled by economic recovery in Europe and Japan threatened to outstrip capacity in the traditional Midwestern production zones. He and the Company were leaders in meeting this growing demand by developing major, new production in the Pacific Northwest. His credibility and professionalism along with the reputation of the Company were instrumental in convincing and guiding legions of new growers to invest and engage in the production of a previously little-known specialty crop while assuring global consumer companies that sufficient supplies of mint would be available to fuel the growth of their products. These efforts proved highly successful; today, the Pacific Northwest accounts for 85% of U.S. mint oil production. He retired as President of A.M. Todd Company in 1984. After retirement he and Mary Lou spent winters in Key Largo, Florida where they developed a large network of friends. He helped guide the re-construction of the Key Largo Anglers Club following its near destruction by Hurricane Andrew in 1992. He was an active member of the Kalamazoo community both as an elected county commissioner and as a leader in numerous volunteer organizations. He took a particular interest in organizations focused on underserved parts of the community. Apart from these activities he enjoyed success as a competitive sailor and golfer. He had a lively, widely read intelligence and an abiding sense of humor, fueled by a relentlessly optimistic disposition. Approaching his centenary, he often repeated a favorite mantra, "Oh! To be ninety again!" Memorial arrangements will be announced by the family when the situation permits. Please visit Winship's personalized online guestbook at https://www.langelands.com Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one's choice.