Stahl

BEDFORD — The founder and chief executive officer of Bedford Reinforced Plastics has passed away.

Melvin “Mel” Eugene Stahl died May 22 at the age of 88.

Stahl started the fiberglass-reinforced plastics manufacturing company in 1974. His passing comes as the company marks 50 years of business.

Under Stahl’s leadership, Bedford Reinforced Plastics expanded from a small barn in rural Bedford County with a dozen employees to a full-service supplier of fiberglass-reinforced polymer products to a global market.

Today, the family-owned company has more than 200 employees and 200,000 square feet of manufacturing and fabrication space at two facilities. It produces $60 million in annual revenue in the same township where Stahl’s vision began.

Stahl was raised in Bedford on his parent’s dairy farm.

He attended Bedford High School before enlisting in the United States Army in 1956. While stationed in Germany, Stahl met and married his wife, Karoline “Carin” Diochon, and the two made their home in Bedford, where they owned and operated a dairy farm for 14 years before founding Bedford Reinforced Plastics in 1974.

An avid outdoorsman, Stahl enjoyed spending time with family and watching the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was active in the community as a member of the Bedford Masonic Lodge and Bedford Elks Lodge.

Stahl remained active in the family business, serving as CEO until his death, with sons Brian and Allen serving as president and vice president, respectively.

Stahl is survived by Carin, his wife of 65 years; sister, Eileen (Joe); two sons, Brian and Allen; grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews, along with the entire Bedford Reinforced Plastics family.

A private funeral service was held by the family.