Lawrence Thomas “Rusty” Demeules dies

Lawrence Thomas “Rusty” Demeules, former FMA Safety Committee president and owner of Standard Iron & Wire, died on May 26 in Estero, Fla.

After attending the University of Minnesota and Mankato State College with a focus on business administration, Demeules embarked on his professional career at Link-Belt, initially working at the city desk, before transitioning to Control Data as a sales correspondent.

In March of 1966, he joined the family business, Standard Iron & Wire Works in Monticello, Minn., as a salesperson, primarily developing customers in the off-highway and farm equipment industries. In 1972, Rusty and his brother Dave received the business from their father, Heine. Subsequently, they purchased the stock held by their Uncle J.A. (Chuck) Demeules, and in August of 1986, Rusty bought Dave's shares, becoming the sole owner of Standard Iron.

The Fabricators & Manufacturers Association’s Award for Safety Excellence is named after Demeules. He served as president of the FMA/CNA Safety Committee from its inception in 1989 until 1996 and before that served seven years on the FMA board of directors.

When Demeules stepped down from his role on the Safety Committee in 1996, he also retired as president of Standard Iron. That same year, FMA honored Demeules with its Chairman’s Award for his service to the industry and the association.