Charles Todd Jr., Christian Entreprenuer
Faith and Philosophy
| April 22, 2004
| Tim
This is a personal recollection of a man I only met a few times. But his life made an impact on mine. It is overtly spiritual and Christian, so if this bothers you, please continue to the next post. Thank you, kind reader.
In college, a man named Charles Todd, who ran a company called "Todd Uniform", came to speak to a Christian group I'd was attending at the time. He related his business experiences and the history of his company, and shared his business philosophy with us.
Here was a businessman, a CEO, whose main purpose was to serve people. I can't remember everything he said -- much has escaped me after almost twenty years (has it been that long?) -- yet I remember that he showed by his actions and corporate policies that obedience to Christ, caring for people, and building a business were not necessarily mutually exclusive.
I later interviewed him and wrote a report on him for one of my b-school classes -- the paper got an A, but I believe it was because of the uniqueness of the subject. If I come across it, I may put some of up here.
As I was sorting through a box of old things, I came across a paper containing Mr. Todd's personal philosophy, and thought I'd post it here, in the hope that others might benefit from it.
Finally, before I spoil Mr. Todd's words with anything more I might have to say, I want to apologize profusely to him and his family for the previous revision of this article, which included a line reportingly, falsely, that Mr. Todd was no longer with us. I have since been corrected and told he is indeed still with us, had just celebrated his 87th birthday, and that rumors of his demise were greatly exaggerated, which I am quite glad to hear.
The word needs more men like Charles Todd.
My sincere apologies, Mr. Todd and family. Thank you, Sydd, for bringing this to my attention.
I hope my mistake does not detract from what I had intended to be the focus of this article, Mr. Todd's personal philosophy:
The personal philosophy of
CHAS. TODD JR.
Chairman of the Board
Todd Uniform
Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going? These are profound questions which face all of us and deserve honest answers.
Well, I believe that beyond the things I see with my eyes, hear with my ears, touch with my hands and understand with my mind, there is a migthy power I call God. I believe that he sent his Son Jesus Christ to this planet nearly two thousand years ago to show us a way of life that would make it possible to live happy, useful lives in harmony with Himself and our fellow man.
I don't believe any of us are "ditto-marks" with God, for he made all of us in His own image and has a plan for each of our lives. Only to the extent we take Him seriously, is that plan fulfilled in the enrichment of our lives and our neighbors.
I believe any legitimate vocation has integrity and validity in its own right as being honorable in the sight of God. I think it is degrading to divide life into two compartments, one spiritual and sacred and the other physical and secular. It is wrong to attach "spiritual" to those things done on Sunday or in connection with the church and "secular" to those things that have to do with our jobs and daily living.
I believe a Christian can find many opportunities in business to serve God. There is a challenge and purpose and meaningful fulfillment when a company operates on a Biblical basis. There are many opportunities to help make this world a better place in which to live. Business folk serve humanity in many ways, both as individuals and as part of an organization.
Profit is reallly what makes possible all the humanitarian works of business people and corporations. Profits alone can generate the money for scholarships, aid to charities and hospitals, and taxes that support all government activities including those direted to the betterment of mankind.
The nobest concept of work is that I must render an account before God of my powers and talents.
7-1-81
Charles Todd is alive and well in Columbia Ill. His children are all alive in MO, TN, and TX
Charles W. Todd (not Charles A.) is my uncle. He IS alive and well and had his 87th birthday this past Spring. While your intentions are good, there are many items in your article that are in error. You really owe it to him to get all the facts straight.
Tim (is that really your name?) -
On Monday, September 20th I commented about your blog regarding my Uncle Charles Todd of Todd Uniform. Maybe you haven't visited that comment site since you wrote it. Someone besides me has tried to help you set the record straight but I see you haven't done anything about it to date. My Mom (his sister)took a copy of your "In Memory of Charles A. Tood, Todd Uniform" to him Monday night......... he thought it was hilarious - SINCE HE'S STILL ALIVE!!! You post a lot of information on your website. It would be nice to have you go back and straighten out inaccuracies when you become aware of them. It would be good for your website and the community of bloggers to strive for accuracy and credibility. Blogging is a good source of information, but it is only useful if that information can be trusted. You are on the honor system with your website... it would be nice to see a correction or perhaps a retraction of an error.
Sydd
Tim, I am another niece of Uncle Charles. (It's a big family - he grew up in a family of 9 kids). I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate your honoring Uncle Charles. He is a phenomenal man. Many people in his position choose to be focused on themselves and on material wealth. Uncle Charles has, instead, chosen to use his situation to do good and try to help people all over the world. Thank you for acknowledging that he touched your life. Pegi
i am trying to gain contact with actual members of this family to get information about the uniform company and some calendars they had produced 'The 1919 Golden Girl Calendar' made for Chas A Todd Uniform Company, were these caledars reproductions or were they made in 1919 as shown on the front of the calendar?
Thanks
Please take a minute to help if you can.
Karen
Thanks for the correction
I had the privilege of meeting Mr. Todd many times during my tenure with Todd Uniform as a production manager in the '70's. I found him a fair, decent, man who ran a very successful ship. Since I thought I worked for the best "uniform" and laundry company in the world, I was certain that Todd Unifrom would come to dominate the industry. I was dismayed that, for some reason, the company was eventually absorbed by a competitior. In any event, the morality and work ethic instilled in me by the Todd Corp. has stodd me in good stead these many years since. I'm happy to know Mr. Todd is doing well. Does anyone know how Tom Fuccolaro, John Centunzi, or, Roby Robertson are doing?
I had the privilege of meeting Mr. Todd many times during my tenure with Todd Uniform as a production manager in the '70's. I found him a fair, decent, man who ran a very successful ship. Since I thought I worked for the best "uniform" and laundry company in the world, I was certain that Todd Unifrom would come to dominate the industry. I was dismayed that, for some reason, the company was eventually absorbed by a competitior. In any event, the morality and work ethic instilled in me by the Todd Corp. has stodd me in good stead these many years since. I'm happy to know Mr. Todd is doing well. Does anyone know how Tom Fuccolaro, John Centunzi, or, Roby Robertson are doing?
I had the privilege of meeting Mr. Todd many times during my tenure with Todd Uniform as a production manager in the '70's. I found him a fair, decent, man who ran a very successful ship. Since I thought I worked for the best "uniform" and laundry company in the world, I was certain that Todd Unifrom would come to dominate the industry. I was dismayed that, for some reason, the company was eventually absorbed by a competitior. In any event, the morality and work ethic instilled in me by the Todd Corp. has stodd me in good stead these many years since. I'm happy to know Mr. Todd is doing well. Does anyone know how Tom Fuccolaro, John Centunzi, or, Roby Robertson are doing?
You can call Charles Todd. He is still in touch with Tom and others. He still lives in Columbia and since you worked for him, I am sure that he will remember.
You can call Charles Todd. He is still in touch with Tom and others. He still lives in Columbia and since you worked for him, I am sure that he will remember.
I have heard that Mr. Todd has had a book wrote.
Does anyone have the name of the book and where I might buy a copy.
I have a gospel quartet known as the Barn Again Gang and we were priviledged to have been asked to do a concert for Charles Todd's 90th birthday celebration recently. We have known Charles just a few years and are so thankful for the blessing of meeting such a man of faith, integrity, honor, compassion and grace. He is truly a reflection of Christ in the world. He is such an inspiration and example of what tremendous things we can do to serve God by serving others. We hope to be given many more years of friendship with Charles as we have so much more to learn from him !
I would really like to get medical background information from the Todd family. Paul Todd was my biological grandfather and I don't have any records for my daughter. I would greatly appreciate any information that could be forwarded.
Sincerely,
Monica
I WORKED FOR CHAS TODD FOR 21 YEARS HE HAD A LOT TO DO WITH MY LIFE I THINK HE WAS A GREAT MAN. I WAS FIRED FROM HIS CO. HE IS STILL GREAT. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE HIM. GENE GURIEN
I worked for Todd Uniform/Todd Corporation back in the 80's and remember Mr.Todd when he would visit our plant location in Des Moines,Iowa. He always had very positive things to say about the Des Moines staff and it's personnel.Without a doubt one of the kindest employers I have ever had the pleasure to work for.
I worked for Todd Corp. back in the late 70's & early 80's at the Des Moines plant. While Mr. Todd was a wonderful man he allowed Bruce Main to run it into the ground. I married into the Centunzi family. I married the washman at the Des Moines plant. John Centunzi, Sr & Jr. are both alive, well and kickin! Mt mother and sister both worked for Mr. Todd. He treated my mother with the utmost respect. I would love to hear from some former Des Moines workers.....Jim Klosterman for one!
I am so happy I came upon this article. I worked for the company in the 50's at the St. Louis Co. Charles's dad was still there then also his Brother David, Sister Margaret, Sister Edna & her husband Bob. Charles's brother Paul. This company has always been so special mostly because of the reasons you have already mentioned. Everyone was treated like famiy. I left there because I was moving away. I moved to a very small town (Leasburg Mo.)I would sure like to have someone in the family contact me.I would just like to make contact again.
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Charles Todd is alive and well in Columbia Ill. His children are all alive in MO, TN, and TX
Posted by: Kelli on August 9, 2004 01:12 PM