07.20.05
Robert J. Dunsirn, a pioneer in the tag and label industry, passed away at the age of 84 on September 11, 2004, in his hometown of Appleton, WI. Bob began his career at Atlas Tag Company in 1946 after returning from World War II. Having spent many years working with Young Engineering and New Era flat bed printing presses, Bob traveled the country helping others to get their presses to run. It was this experience that gave him the reputation for getting any type of job, no matter how complex, to run on those old machines. Working his way up to plant superintendent, he decided to leave in 1967 to start his own business.
Along with partner Donald Buchta, Bob pursued a new direction with Mid America Tag & Label Company, in Neenah, WI. From a startup in 1967 to a major force in the tag and label business, Mid America grew to more than 200 employees with an industry-wide reputation for innovation and quality. Bob, along with his son Duane, were the first to invent and produce multi-ply promotional coupons and game pieces. They were granted several US patents for their innovative constructions.
In his autobiography, Bob recalled the challenges of running a new product, called “pressure sensitive” on letterpress tag machines built in the 1950s. He also tells of the challenges encountered when starting a business from scratch.
After Mid America was sold to Menasha Corporation in 1985, Bob continued to influence industry direction by consulting for his sons’ newly created business, Dunsirn Industries. He was a board member from 1994 to 2000.
Survivors include his wife Carol Ann Dunsirn; his children, Duane, Janis and Brian, and their mother, Agnes Dunsirn. He is also survived by Angela Remter, Cathie Kuchenberg and Larry Smith; by 18
Along with partner Donald Buchta, Bob pursued a new direction with Mid America Tag & Label Company, in Neenah, WI. From a startup in 1967 to a major force in the tag and label business, Mid America grew to more than 200 employees with an industry-wide reputation for innovation and quality. Bob, along with his son Duane, were the first to invent and produce multi-ply promotional coupons and game pieces. They were granted several US patents for their innovative constructions.
In his autobiography, Bob recalled the challenges of running a new product, called “pressure sensitive” on letterpress tag machines built in the 1950s. He also tells of the challenges encountered when starting a business from scratch.
After Mid America was sold to Menasha Corporation in 1985, Bob continued to influence industry direction by consulting for his sons’ newly created business, Dunsirn Industries. He was a board member from 1994 to 2000.
Survivors include his wife Carol Ann Dunsirn; his children, Duane, Janis and Brian, and their mother, Agnes Dunsirn. He is also survived by Angela Remter, Cathie Kuchenberg and Larry Smith; by 18