Atlas Steel Products mourns president's passing

Atlas Steel Products President and CEO Lawrence J. "Bo" Burr died Monday (April 28) at home with his family in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, following a seven-month battle with cancer. He was 63.

Mr. Burr acquired Atlas Steel Products in 1983 after joining the aluminized steel service center in a sales capacity in 1976. He guided Atlas into the stainless business in the 1990s, directed the company's installation of a tube mill and numerous other capacity enhancements, and established the company as a leading supplier of metals for applications requiring heat- and corrosion-resistance.

He was known within his company and among Atlas' customers and suppliers as a "can-do" leader who empowered associates and supported their efforts. Mr. Burr frequently commented that his job was simple—to help provide the resources for associates to do what was best for customers and for the company. He described the team of Atlas associates as "an empowered workforce unequaled in our industry."

Mr. Burr was a firm believer in the Golden Rule, applying it uniformly with customers, suppliers, the community and within the Atlas team. His style worked. Under Mr. Burr's leadership, sales improved from $9 million in 1983 to more than $100 million, and today Atlas products are used in more than 60 countries.

He was a member of the Metal Service Center Institute and was past chairman of the Specialty Steel Council, past president of the Northeast Ohio Chapter, and past member of the Governmental Affairs Committee and National Board of Directors. He was a member of the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association International (FMA), Precision Metalforming Association (PMA), ASM International, WINOC, Japan American Society of Pittsburgh and Leadership Cleveland Class of 1988. He also participated in several American Metal Marketpanel discussions about industry issues and opportunities.

"Mr. Burr also was a member of the United Way of Cleveland Ten Plus, and was a past member of the Board of Directors and chairman of the Small Business Portfolio. He founded the Forest City's Vintage Base Ball Team, in cooperation with Chagrin Falls Historical Society. He also had been a member of Aurora Golf & Country Club, Geauga County Blue Coats, Chagrin River Conservancy and Holden Arboretum.

A member of Federated Church in Chagrin Falls, Mr. Burr was a member of the Senior Minister Search Committee and youth adviser for the junior high school youth program. He was past chair of the Building Committee and Central Council. He also was a past chair of the church's trustees and member of the Ensemble Choir.

He was a graduate of Rutgers University and went on to earn his M.B.A. from American Graduate School of International Management, Glendale, Ariz. He also earned a Graduate Studies Diploma from Stockholm University in Sweden.

Mr. Burr served as a U.S. Air Force pilot and saw combat service in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968. He was awarded five Air Medals for Special Operations support of the U.S. Army Special Forces, and served in the Southern Command from 1969 to 1972, earning the Air Force Commendation Medal for Humanitarian Relief for service following the Peruvian earthquake in 1970.

Before joining Atlas Steel Products in 1976, Mr. Burr was a reporter for the Arizona Republicnewspaper in Phoenix. He continued writing throughout his career and was published in numerous periodicals.

He is survived by his wife Anne, son Scott, and daughter Corinne.