Joseph W. Kolkmeyer, retired plant manager, community activist

Kolkmeyer

Joseph W. Kolkmeyer, 84, of Williamsville, a retired plant manager and salesman as well as an activist in the Amherst community, died Saturday, May 5, 2007 in Oakwood Nursing Facility, Amherst.

Born in Buffalo, Mr. Kolkmeyer was a graduate of Kensington High School and saw active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II.

Mr. Kolkmeyer worked 35 years for J.H. Williams Company, beginning as a tool maker in 1940. He later moved to the standards department and became quality control foreman in 1955. He was named supervisor of the standards department in 1956 and maintenance superintendent in 1961. In 1967, he was promoted from assistant personnel director to personnel director and later became plant manager.

After leaving J.H. Williams, he worked as a salesman for 15 years for R.H. Britton Company. He was known by all of his customers for his humorous personality.

After retiring in 1992, Mr. Kolkmeyer became actively involved in controlling the deer population as a member of the Town of Amherst Deer Management Committee. More recently, an auto accident involving his daughter moved him to become involved in bringing attention to numerous traffic accidents throughout the county involving motorists running red lights, chairing a local campaign called "Stop Red Light Running." The campaign educated local elementary and high school students on the challenges of teaching new drivers the importance of following traffic signals and signs.

He was a former instructor for Junior Achievement and was a past president of the Niagara Frontier Society of Industrial Engineers.

Mr. Kolkmeyer is survived by his wife, the former Annette Stievater; three daughters, Carol Beasley, Jean Hoover and Susan Robb; two sons, Paul and James; and a brother, Robert J.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday, May 8 in St. Gregory the Great Church in Williamsville.

Arrangements were made by the Dengler and Roberts Funeral Home.