Michael Barbella, Managing Editor12.08.22
For more than four decades, Lee Charles Carver Jr. was a fixture in the medical silicone molding industry.
He held various roles throughout his career, beginning with entry-level molder and working his way into management. At age 60, rather than look ahead to retirement, Carver co-founded Sil-Pro LLC, a Delano, Minn.-based contract manufacturing outsourcing firm specializing in silicone and thermoplastic molding. Under Carver's direction and guidance, the company grew into a leading provider of contract manufacturing and engineering services to the medical device industry, eventually employing more than 300 workers. In 2016, Sil-Pro took sole ownership of Machining Solutions (formerly MMI Precision), a provider of high-precision machining to the medical, aerospace, defense, and specialty equipment markets. Sil-Pro is now part of Trelleborg, having been acquired by the company in 2019 for undisclosed terms.
Silicone molders are mourning Carver, 84, who died last week (Dec. 2) after a year-long battle with cancer.
"I reported to Lee at Sil-Pro for nearly 10 years. He mentored me, along with many others over decades, and taught me everything I know within the medical silicone molding industry," Brian Higgins, business development manager at Precision Associates Inc., told MPO. "I continued to stay in touch with Lee after his retirement in 2008, as did many other former employees, customers, and vendors. Lee had a way of making everyone feel special and important to him, probably because they were."
Born May 20, 1938, Carver served in the U.S. Army and played competitive softball for a number of years. He also owned several red Corvettes during his retirement and co-founded a local Corvette Club. He won a local car show this year just a few months before his death.
Carver is survived by his wife Jean Carver; children: Kevin (Kathi) Carver, Angie (Chris) Neisen, and Stacy (Craig) Furtney; grandchildren Ryan, Grace, and Nate Carver; Steffi (Mac) Williams and Kenzie Neisen; Megan, Ben, and Jake Furtney; brothers Eddie Carver and John (Pat) Carver; sister Carol Jackson; and brother-in-law Roger Johnson, according to his obituary. He was predeceased by two grandchildren, Samuel and Thomas Neisen, parents Lee Charles and Edna Louise (Schmit) Carver Sr., brother Jerry Carver, sister Donna Mae Johnson, brother-in-law David Jackson, and sister-in-law Sandy Carver.
Carver's family is requesting memorials to the Make-A-Wish Foundation Minnesota in lieu of flowers.
He held various roles throughout his career, beginning with entry-level molder and working his way into management. At age 60, rather than look ahead to retirement, Carver co-founded Sil-Pro LLC, a Delano, Minn.-based contract manufacturing outsourcing firm specializing in silicone and thermoplastic molding. Under Carver's direction and guidance, the company grew into a leading provider of contract manufacturing and engineering services to the medical device industry, eventually employing more than 300 workers. In 2016, Sil-Pro took sole ownership of Machining Solutions (formerly MMI Precision), a provider of high-precision machining to the medical, aerospace, defense, and specialty equipment markets. Sil-Pro is now part of Trelleborg, having been acquired by the company in 2019 for undisclosed terms.
Silicone molders are mourning Carver, 84, who died last week (Dec. 2) after a year-long battle with cancer.
"I reported to Lee at Sil-Pro for nearly 10 years. He mentored me, along with many others over decades, and taught me everything I know within the medical silicone molding industry," Brian Higgins, business development manager at Precision Associates Inc., told MPO. "I continued to stay in touch with Lee after his retirement in 2008, as did many other former employees, customers, and vendors. Lee had a way of making everyone feel special and important to him, probably because they were."
Born May 20, 1938, Carver served in the U.S. Army and played competitive softball for a number of years. He also owned several red Corvettes during his retirement and co-founded a local Corvette Club. He won a local car show this year just a few months before his death.
Carver is survived by his wife Jean Carver; children: Kevin (Kathi) Carver, Angie (Chris) Neisen, and Stacy (Craig) Furtney; grandchildren Ryan, Grace, and Nate Carver; Steffi (Mac) Williams and Kenzie Neisen; Megan, Ben, and Jake Furtney; brothers Eddie Carver and John (Pat) Carver; sister Carol Jackson; and brother-in-law Roger Johnson, according to his obituary. He was predeceased by two grandchildren, Samuel and Thomas Neisen, parents Lee Charles and Edna Louise (Schmit) Carver Sr., brother Jerry Carver, sister Donna Mae Johnson, brother-in-law David Jackson, and sister-in-law Sandy Carver.
Carver's family is requesting memorials to the Make-A-Wish Foundation Minnesota in lieu of flowers.