Dick Cornelison—Jack Bares’ Memoir
On Thursday, September 12, 1968 the local Chagrin Falls newspaper announced the building of a new plant by Milbar Corp. In charge of this first of three building projects was the new General Manager: Richard Cornelison.
From this new structure to new goal definitions, Dick was a strong and articulate leader. He was a leader of men and ideas. His quiet yet strong personal demeanor encouraged following, but never asked subservience. From all employees, janitor to chief engineer, Dick was a stalwart leader; but to all he was simply, Dick.
His philosophy of marketing hand tools was simply to identify markets which demanded unique high quality tools - then Milbar would fill the demand.
In Dick’s words: “we make tools that are designed to do specific jobs efficiently and professionally”. Tools that are ordinary run of the mill, generic tools could not do.
Once General Motors needed a tool that could remove the seal on their auto air-conditioner, do it rapidly and without having to disassemble the entire compressor. Under Dick’s guidance, Milbar created and manufactured a unique retaining ring plier, just for this purpose.
Said Dick “Such a tool will pay for itself the first time it is used”. He continued this thinking with the development of an adjustable spanner wrench for removing the clutch plates from air conditioning units. It became the only tool that fit all five brands of U.S. auto air conditioners and was a major part of a complete line of tools Milbar made specifically for this market of auto air conditioner service.
Although we were no longer connected professionally, Dick and I remained close personal friends. He was the first “visitor” to our new home in Ellicottville, NY one muddy cold day last winter. He drove 3-1/2 hours for lunch, admired our still rough home, immediately filling it with warmth despite the bleak day. Then he drove back to Cleveland. From there he was enroute to British Columbia and his new dream home, “surrounded” he said proudly “by 360 degrees of mountain peaks”.
Dick fit into the west and into mountain land. He was tall; he stood out in any crowd. Yet he never used his height or brains to intimidate. He loved music - from the gem like notes of his own flute to symphonies and concertos.
Beyond everything he liked people. He really liked them.
Just recall his smile and you will all know that he liked people; and the emotion will be here with us forever.
Jack A. Bares 2004