Former FMA chairman J. Robert Kulp dies

J. Robert “Bob” Kulp

J. Robert “Bob” Kulp of Orchard Park, N.Y., a metal fabrication company owner and former chairman of the board of directors of the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association Intl. (FMA), died Dec. 5 at the age of 83.

Born in Buffalo, Kulp earned a bachelor’s degree in business from the University at Buffalo. He enrolled in the first master’s degree program in business at Canisius College and earned an MBA in 1972.

He began his career as a salesman and then sales manager for Ryerson Steel Co.In 1972 he and a partner purchased Oehler Industries, where he served as vice president. He and his partner also acquired Denler Metal Products in 1984 and operated the two companies until the mid-1990s. He continued as president of Denler until 2000, when he retired and sold the business.

Kulp also served terms as president of the Canisius College Alumni Association, president of its MBA Alumni Association, and chairman of its board of regents.