Walter Paul Troder, 96

From his heart, he was grateful; from his hands, he gave. Walter P. “Paul” Troder, age 96, peacefully passed from this earth to his eternal home on Tuesday, December 17, 2024.

Paul was born on June 24, 1928, in Indiana Springs, (Martin County), Indiana, the only son and youngest of four children, to Carl and Margaret (Acker) Troder. The family later moved to North Manchester, Indiana where Paul graduated from Chester High School in 1946. After graduation, he proudly served his country for two years as an Army PFC in the infantry, most of which time was spent in Korea, post WWII and just prior to the Korean War. Upon discharge in 1948, he attended Indiana Tech in Fort Wayne, where he graduated in 1951, having earned a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering. He then worked for the Wisconsin State Highway Department as a surveyor before accepting a job in 1952 at the ARO Corporation, working in the R&D Lab as a mechanical engineer. While at ARO, Paul started his own small business in the family garage in 1958, which later became known as Allied Moulded Products. Allied has expanded to six locations including one in Bangalore, India. He continued working as owner and President for over 55 years, until the age of 87, “slowing down, but not retiring”.

While attending Indiana Tech, Paul met his future wife, Betty Lou Fluttrow on a blind date. Later they eloped and were married on May 31, 1952 in Lagrange, Indiana. Paul and Betty had two children, Sherrie (Denny) Herman and Mark (Kathie) Troder.

Paul served the Bryan community as a member of the Bryan Community Hospital Advisory Board, as well as the F&M Bank Board of Directors. He received numerous honors including NEMRA Manufacturer of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year nomination from Ernst & Young, Inc., and Merrill Lynch, as well as receiving the Bryan Area Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year award in 2015. He had been an active member of Lick Creek Church of the Brethren, where he had served as Board Chairman, Deacon, Steward Chairman, and Adult and Youth Sunday School teacher. Paul’s college alma mater, Indiana Tech, recently opened it’s newest residence hall on campus. Honoring Paul’s longtime support for the college, “Troder Hall” opened it’s doors to students in the Fall of 2024.\

Growing up “dirt poor” in a German immigrant family, Paul learned to use the two hands the Good Lord gave him, along with a strong faith, to build a successful business, work the soil with excavation equipment, build a pond, farm a few crops, tinker on old cars, craft Grandfather clocks, shelves and benches from wood, and read the pages of many books that helped make him a life-long learner with a true gift of wisdom. With those same two hands, he in turn gave back to others.

Paul is survived by his daughter, Sherrie (Denny) Herman, of Bryan; daughter-in-law, Kathie Troder, of Butler, Indiana; six grandchildren, David and Aaron Herman, both of Bryan, Derrick Herman, of Indianapolis, Indiana, Ben Troder and Melanie (Andrew) Lechleidner, both of Butler, Michelle (Tim) Ohlrich, of Liberty Center, Ohio; ten great grandchildren, Madalyn (Jordan Whitehead) , Mia, Brayleigh, Brantley, Remington, Chloe, Corbin, Camden, Kaylee and Abigail; one great-great-grandchild; a niece; many great nieces and nephews; as well as many present and past Allied employees, which were always considered family. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Mark Troder; sisters, Elizabeth Harner, Anna Lambert and Elena Powell.

We would like to express our heartfelt Thanks and Gratitude for the special, Visiting Angels who have cared for and loved Paul, and became a part of our family over the past years, as well as CHP Home Health & Hospice nurses who have provided care and comfort at home.

Visitation will be held Sunday, December 22, 2024 from 2:00-5:00 P.M. at Krill Funeral Home, 860 West Mulberry Street, Bryan. A Celebration of Life is being held on Monday, December 23, 2024 at Lick Creek Church of the Brethren at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Bill Holsopple officiating. Visitation will be held a the church one hour prior to the service at church. Private interment will be at a later date in Brown Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Paul & Betty Troder Scholarship Fund, Lick Creek Church of the Brethren or a charity of the donor’s choice.

This obituary has been lovingly prepared by Paul’s family.