LA-Z-BOY MOURNS DEATH OF COMPANY CHAIRMAN

Furniture World Magazine

Charles T. Knabusch, 57, president/chief executive officer and chairman of La-Z-Boy Incorporated, died of an apparent heart attack in High Point, N.C., where he was attending the International Home Furnishings Market. A lifelong resident of Monroe, Mich., Knabusch was born November 25, 1939. He attended Monroe High School and Cleary Business College in Ypsilanti, Mich., graduating with majors in business administration and corporate law. Knabusch began his career with La-Z-Boy in 1961. He became president in 1972, succeeding his father, La-Z-Boy co-founder, the late Edward M. Knabusch (see biography go to "Associations" then "American Furniture Hall of Fame" from the main furninfo.com index). In 1985, he was elected chairman of the board and chief executive officer of La-Z-Boy. During his tenure as president, Knabusch led the company from sales of $52.7 million to more than $1 billion. In recognition of his achievements, he was named by Northwood Institute as one of 1994's ten outstanding business leaders. Under the direction of Knabusch, La-Z-Boy has become the largest upholstered furniture manufacturer in the U.S. and the world's leading producer of reclining chairs. The company employs 11,200 people, has 31 manufacturing facilities in the United States, Canada and Europe, and operates seven independent divisions, including La-Z-Boy Residential, La-Z-Boy Business Furniture Group, La-Z-Boy Canada, Centurion Furniture PLC, Hammary Furniture Company, Kincaid Furniture Company and England/Corsair, Inc. The company's executive committee will continue to direct day-to-day operations. Executive committee members include Gerald L. Kiser, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Patrick H. Norton, senior vice president sales and marketing, and Frederick H. Jackson, vice president finance and chief financial officer. Knabusch held various posts in national furniture industry associations. In addition, he was a director of Monroe Bank & Trust, a board member of Mercy Memorial Hospital and a member of the Monroe County Chamber of Commerce. He also co-chaired the Edward M. and Henrietta Knabusch Charitable Foundation with Betty Lou White. An avid hunter and fisherman, Knabusch was appointed in 1996 by Michigan Governor John Engler to the board of the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund. Additionally, he served on the board of the Monroe Family YMCA, was a member of Grace Lutheran Church and was actively involved with the Boy Scouts of America. In honor of Knabusch, a special memorial service was held at the La-Z-Boy Showroom in High Point on Friday, October 17 for those attending the International Home Furnishings Market. Visitation was held over the weekend at Rupp Funeral Home in Monroe, Mich., followed by a private funeral service on Monday, October 20. Knabusch is buried at Roselawn Memorial Park in Monroe. Memorials may be made to Lake Erie Environmental Outreach Program (LEEOP) or Monroe Country 4-H. Donations should be sent to La-Z-Boy Incorporated, c/o Diane Gallagher, 1284 N. Telegraph Road, Monroe, Mich. 48162. Knabusch is survived by his wife June; sons Charles Jr., Michael and Christopher, daughter Debora; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild and his sister, Betty Lou White. E-mail link: cwinkler@la-z-boy.com