H. Randall Wickes
1889 - 1974
The old saying goes “shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations,” but H. Randall Wickes disproved the saying and proved himself even more able than his distinguished forebears, both in business acumen and in philanthropy.
Born September 1, 1889, he was a grandson of Henry D. Wickes, co-founder of the Wickes Corporation. His father was Harry T. Wickes who became president of the firm in 1901.
“Ran” Wickes attended Saginaw High School and was graduated from Holbrook Military Academy. He studied engineering at the University of Michigan, graduating in 1911, and went to work for the family company. Although he was the president’s son, he began as an apprentice in the machine shop.
After gaining experience in every aspect of the business, he was named president of Wickes Brothers, Wickes Boiler Company, and the U. S. Graphite Company. Under his leadership, the companies realized success far beyond anything envisioned by his father and grandfather. At its peak, the giant diversified company was comprised of sixteen divisions and subsidiaries here and abroad and had over 16,000 employees.
In 1961 Wickes became the first Saginaw firm to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
Through it all, Ran Wickes maintained an easy rapport with his workers. A slight man, and far from an imposing figure, he won their respect for his fearless conduct in difficult situations. George Bush, author of The Wide World of Wickes, told about one such experience. During a strike at Wickes Boiler, striking workers threw the main switch that controlled Wickes Machine Tool as well as Wickes Boiler, although the former was not on strike. Ran Wickes walked through a crowd of about 50 angry strikers, threw the switch on again and then turned to the workers. “Now boys,” he said, and there wasn’t a quaver in his voice, “It’s perfectly okay for you to go on strike and nobody’s complaining about that. But don’t touch that switch again because that will put other men out of work.”
Wickes became chairman of the board in 1964 and was honorary chairman from 1969 until his death.
He served both Saginaw and the state of Michigan. He was president of the Greater Saginaw Chamber of Commerce and its Manufacturers’ Council and the Saginaw Manufacturers’ Association. He was chairman of the Saginaw Valley Water Authority and vice president of the Citizens Research Council which pioneered the organization of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce.
In 1958 he served as a member of a 100-man study committee to consider Michigan’s future. A founder of the Michigan National Bank, he was a director of its Saginaw branch as well as the central board in Lansing.
He was also a director of Saginaw General Hospital and a member of the lay advisory board of St. Mary’s Hospital. He was one of the organizers of Big Brothers in Saginaw and served as president of the Salvation Army of Saginaw, which remembers him and his wife as two of their greatest friends. His philanthropies have benefited thousands.
The Wickes Foundation, established in 1945, has made substantial grants to the United Fund, Delta College, Saginaw hospitals, the Salvation Army, YMCA, YWCA, Saginaw Children’s Zoo and many other organizations.
Wickes Park is another community asset derived from the Foundation. A pledge of one milliondollars made to Saginaw Valley State University when the school was just getting started paved the way for other major contributions. Another one-million-dollar Wickes gift made it possible to build the football stadium.
For relaxation, he enjoyed bridge and was known as a tough and enthusiastic player who was especially good at defense and could squeeze out every trick.
Among his many honors were the Delta College President’s Medal for distinguished community service in 1963 and the Arnold Boutell Award in 1961. In 1966 he was given an honorary doctor of laws degree from SVSC.
He was married to the former Ruth Brady who died in 1957. They had one child, Nancy Wickes Blanford.
Ran Wickes died on October 6, 1974, but the foundation insures that his dreams—and Ruth’s—of community service will continue.