Foundation supporters Floyd D. Gottwald, Jr. and Bruce C. Gottwald each received the Outstanding Virginian Award in a ceremony at the University of Virginia on May 13. The two long-time business leaders share a rich history of philanthropic support. They also both generously and consistently support the Focused Ultrasound Foundation. Floyd and his wife, Helga, live in Richmond and make grants FUSF through the Herndon Foundation.
Intellectually curious and interested in advancing technologies, Floyd Gottwald was drawn to the promise of the Focused Ultrasound Foundation when introduced to it by Chairman Neal F. Kassell, MD, several years ago. The Herndon Foundation has made a grant to FUSF every year since 2010.
At the request of Floyd Gottwald, Dr. Kassell introduced him at the award ceremony and shared remarks about his exceptional contributions to the Commonwealth. Kassell said, “Floyd Gottwald is a true man of action – the quintessential example of what is meant by ‘the greatest generation.’ As a businessman and philanthropist, he has made enormous contributions and the world is a better place because of his innovation and generosity.”
Mr. Gottwald was born in Richmond in 1922, received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Virginia Military Institute and an MBA from the University of Richmond. He served as a lieutenant in the US Army during World War II in the China-Burma-India Theater.
Mr. Gottwald joined the Albemarle Paper Manufacturing Company in 1943 as a chemist and rose through the ranks becoming chairman of the Ethyl Corporation in 1968 after its merger with Albemarle in 1962, and then served as CEO from 1970 to 1992. He is a former director of Tredegar Corporation, CSX Corporation, and the Federal Reserve Bank in Richmond, among others.
Today Mr. Gottwald is Trustee Emeritus of the International Game Fish Association and former trustee and current advisory council member of the George C. Marshall Foundation. Mr. Gottwald said, “It is a unique honor to receive the Outstanding Virginian Award. I admire Neal and his work with the Foundation, so it is also an honor to have him present the award.”