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Carl Bicking, former executive vice president of sales for Ace Hardware Corporation, died May 12 at the age of 94.
He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Marian Bicking.
Bicking was a World War II veteran who served in the Army Corps of Engineers and a longtime executive with Ace Hardware.
Bill Loftus, now retired executive vice president of retail for Ace, he fondly remembers his time with Bicking, not only as a leader but as a friend. The two often commuted to work together, where Loftus says they exchanged many ideas.
“When Carl joined Ace, the company was averaging $300 million in sales annually,” Loftus says. “Over the years, Carl helped to grow the company tremendously– into the industry leading organization that it is today– and along the way, he made an indelible mark as an outstanding leader.”
Bicking hired Dan Miller, Ace’s current vice president of retail operations and new business.
“To me, Carl Bicking exemplified the significance of Ace pride and passion that our company’s founders courageously believed and lived,” Miller says.
In addition to his wife Marian, Bicking is survived by his children Douglas, Donald and David; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
To read Bicking’s obituary, click here.
