Roudebush Remembered
By Dr. Richard G. Frederick When Tim Roudebush died last week in his home near Kansas City, he left an important legacy to McKean County. During the 1990s the Kansas businessman provided the impetus and much of the financial support for the foundation of the Eldred World War II Museum and Camp Penuel East, a Christian summer camp for inner-city youths. The Kansas entrepreneur was the founder and owner of several business ventures, notably Akro Fireguard, Inc., which sold a fire-retardant process to airlines around the world. Although he was born and raised in Cleveland, Tim’s family had interests in the Eldred area, where Tim’s lawyer father had facilitated an arrangement with both the United States and Canadian governments to establish a munitions plant during World War II. Following the war, the elder Roudebush purchased the land, which included a lodge and several miles of bridle trails. In addition to his businesses, Tim had a strong interest in history and politics, ho...