Alan Lawrence Ockene, former president and chief executive officer of General Tire, Inc., and member of the executive board of Continental A.G. of Hanover, Germany, passed away on August 20, 2002.

He was 71 and a resident of Akron, Ohio. Mr. Ockene was the first American to serve on the eight- member executive board of Continental A.G., which established policy for and operated Continental's worldwide operations. Prior to joining General Tire and Continental A.G., Mr. Ockene spent 17 years with Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., first as managing director of Goodyear's German subsidiary, then as vice president for Europe and Africa, as vice president for Goodyear Aerospace, and as vice president for Latin America and the Caribbean. Prior to joining Goodyear, Mr. Ockene served as executive vice president for Bellows-Valvair, sales and marketing director for International Basic Economy Corporation, and as an executive with Ford Motor Company and the Studebaker Corporation throughout Europe, the Caribbean, and South America. Mr. Ockene served on the board of directors of A. Schulman, Inc., Akron, Ohio, Ameron International, Inc., Pasadena, California, Sudbury, Inc., and on the advisory board of Babcox Publications, Akron, Ohio. He also served on the board and executive committee of the Rubber Manufacturer's Association, on the board of and as vice chairman of the Highway Users Federation, as a director and chairman of the United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce, as a member of the board of the United States-Venezuela Council, as chairman and vice president of the board of the Latin American Agribusiness Development Corp., and as a member of the Council of the Americas. Mr. Ockene devoted himself tirelessly to a variety of charitable, educational, and civic organizations, particularly in the Akron, Ohio area, a place that he loved. Among other organizations, Mr. Ockene served as a director of the Akron Community Foundation; as chairman of the 1995 United Way Fund Campaign, and a board vice chairman; as a board member of the Ohio Foundation of the Independent Colleges; on the Akron Public Schools Business Advisory Board; on the Global Advisory Council of Akron University's School of International Management; on the Global Advisory Council of the American Graduate School of International Management (Thunderbird); as a director of the International School of Brussels; as a member of the German Fulbright Commission; as a trustee and past chairman of the Akron Regional Development Board (now the Akron Chamber of Commerce); as a trustee of Akron General Hospital, and Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens; as director for Bluecoats (which supports families of slain safety and law enforcement officers); on the board of the Akron Council for World Affairs; and as a participant of Akron Tomorrow and the Leadership Akron Committee.

A native of Englewood, New Jersey, Mr. Ockene earned a bachelor of arts degree in English literature and creative writing from Yale University, obtained a bachelor in foreign trade from the American Graduate School of International Management (Thunderbird) in Arizona, and a masters in business administration from New York University.

Mr. Ockene is survived by his beloved family, including his wife, Patricia; his son, Brad Ockene, of Akron, Ohio; his daughter, Anne Ockene Boudreau of Atlanta, Ga., her husband, Richard Boudreau; and his grandchildren, Lucas, Sophia, and Richard Colin Boudreau; his son, Andrew Ockene of New York City; and his sister, Phyllis Hammel of Jamestown, New Jersey.

The following article by Jim Dackinnon, Akron Beacon Journal business writer, appeared in the Aug. 23 edition of the Akron Beacon.

'CLASS ACT OF CEOS' DEAD AT 71

Alan Ockene created something of a stir eight years ago when he announced he'd rather retire as chief executive officer of General Tire and remain in Akron instead of move with the company to North Carolina. He was no stranger to moving -- the New Jersey native's career took him around the world. Those stints included living in Europe and South America, providing ample opportunity to practice the seven or so languages he spoke.

But after he, his wife and three children arrived in Akron in 1972, they put down deep roots. And the longer he stayed, the more involved he became in the community, including being chairman of the 1995 United Way of Summit County campaign that raised $10 million. His adopted home is also where Mr. Ockene died Tuesday from heart failure. He was 71. Family, friends and colleagues said they remember him not just as a successful business executive, but more importantly as a successful person. "He was tough and fair and honest," said his wife, Patricia. "He was kind to people. He loved his work and he loved his boards and he loved his community. He was the smartest man I've ever met." While she needed time to warm to the area, her husband took to Akron from the beginning, she said. Still, it wasn't Mr. Ockene who made the decision to stay in Akron rather than move with General Tire down South, his wife said. "That was my decision," she said. After years of traveling the world with him, "I wasn't going to move any more. I said, 'Nope, we're not going.' " They had no regrets from that decision, she said. "We just liked it here."

Anne Boudreau, Mr. Ockene's daughter who now lives in Atlanta, said her father would want to be remembered as a loving father and husband as well as a business and community leader. "He was involved in so many charitable endeavors," she said. "He wanted to see Akron improve. He was a visionary." Her father's character showed in different ways, she said. For instance, when he became General Tire's CEO, he eliminated preferential parking privileges for top executives because he believed in equal treatment for employees, she said. "He was just a vibrant person," said family friend Mary Laub, describing Mr. Ockene as "the perfect gentleman." Her husband, William, met Mr. Ockene his first day in Akron and they quickly became friends, she said. Over the years, their families have traveled and taken vacations together, she said.

Bob Kulinski, president of United Way of Summit County where Mr. Ockene was vice chairman, called him a mentor. "He's regarded as the class act of CEOs," he said. "It's going to be a loss to the community." Terry Haines, chief executive officer for Fairlawn polymer maker A. Schulman Co., called Mr. Ockene an "extraordinary guy" with strong international expertise. Mr. Ockene had served on Schulman's board of directors for years. "He was just a very special man," he said. While Mr. Ockene was an extremely polite gentleman, he was also a strong and direct businessman, he said. Jody Bacon, executive director of the Akron Community Foundation, where Mr. Ockene also served as a board member, said he was always available to go with her for "site visits" of organizations that applied for grants from the foundation. "He was never too big not to go with us anywhere."

He served on at least 24 business, charitable, educational and civic boards and organizations over the years. Mr. Ockene stayed active even after a car crash nearly killed him in March 1996. A car traveling about 70 mph smashed into his Lincoln Continental in front of Akron General Medical Center, breaking and crushing most of his ribs, puncturing both of his lungs and causing other injuries. He needed to be cut out of the wreck. "The damage I'm left with just isn't all that significant when you measure how far I've come," he told the Akron Beacon Journal in December 1996. He also underwent a kidney transplant in 1989.

Mr. Ockene was born in Englewood, N.J. He had a bachelor's degree in English literature and creative writing from Yale University, a bachelor's degree in foreign trade from the American Graduate School of International Management in Arizona and a master's in business administration from New York University. Prior to joining General Tire, he worked for Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. for 17 years, holding several vice president positions. He came to Akron as executive vice president of Bellows-Valvair. He also worked for Ford Motor Co. and the Studebaker Corp.

Mr. Ockene enjoyed golf -- at one time having a 6 handicap -- and tennis and skiing. Besides his wife and daughter, he is survived by two sons, Brad Ockene of Akron and Andrew Ockene of New York City; a sister, Phyllis Hammel of Jamestown, N.J.; and three grandchildren.