In a previous blog entitled Dad’s Early Years the focus was on my Dad, Karl Victor Lindell, and a recollection of his childhood growing up along the shores of Lake Erie until his High School Graduation from Ashtabula Harbor High School in 1923.

Upon graduation Karl set his sights on enrolling in Michigan College of Mines in Houghton, situated in the upper Peninsula of Michigan. It was there that he spent the next few years as a student.

In 1967, Many years after his 1928 graduation, he was invited to deliver the commencement address.

Over time Michigan College of Mines, developed and later became known as Michigan Technological University.

In 1972 at Michigan Technological University Dad received the Distinguished Alumnus Award

Below is a copy of the text of the citation that outlines a summary of Dad’s stellar career.

Michigan Technological University”

Alumni Association

Distinguished Alumnus Award

Karl Victor Lindell, BS., E.M., 1928

Danville, Quebec, Canada

Most likely, it was growing up in the iron port of Ashtabula. Ohio that first stirred his interest in mining. Whatever it was that brought Karl Lindell to Michigan College of Mines in the mid-1920s, it is safe to assume that even in his wildest dreams of the future, he could not have imagined that was to unfold as a result of this decision.

Professionally, there was little doubt about his competence. Out of school less than ten years, Karl Lindell was already the assistant to the general superintendent of all International Nickel mines in Copper Cliff, Ontario. In 1945, he elected to join Canadian Johns Manville Company, and within six years, he was general manager of the Asbestos Fiber Division.

While still retaining operation of that division, he was elected chairman of the Board of Canadian Johns Manville in 1961. Six years later he was given additional responsibilities as senior vice-president and director of the parent US company.

By this time, he was world-renowned as an authority on asbestos mining and the special health hazards inherent in the industry. Even after his retirement from Johns Manville in 1970, he continues to chair one occupational and environmental health commission while serving as a consultant to another.

For his many contributions to the mining industry in his adopted country – he became a naturalized Canadian in 1939 – Karl Lindell has been honored with Doctor of Science degrees from both Laval and Sherbrooke universities. In 1967 he was invited to deliver the commencement address in Houghton and there received the Doctor of Engineering from his own alma mater. Numerous other professions and civic honors also have been awarded over the years.

It is with great pride that this Association – in consideration of the aforementioned criteria does hereby confer its highest mark of esteem upon a respected and faithful member.

In witness, there is attached hereto the Seal of the Michigan Technological University, the signature of the President, and the signature of the President of the Alumni Association.

Dated in Houghton, Michigan. This fourth day of August 1972 A.D.

His life allowed him to travel the world on behalf of the Asbestos industry; however, when he was home, he joined his sons in the sauna and enjoyed a round of golf with us.

He was a son, a brother, a husband, a father, an uncle, a grandfather, a great-grandfather, and a kind friend to all who knew him.