Rick W. Norton Jr., the founder of Callies Performance Products in Fostoria, Ohio, passed away in April. He was 76.

Norton began his career in the industry in 1969, working for his father, Richard Sr., at Norton Manufacturing Company, which was founded by his grandfather in Fostoria. Norton later expanded the family-owned tool-and-die business into performance automotive crankshafts under the Callies Performance Products name in 1989. 

Norton later founded Energy Manufacturing, Aviation Manufacturing and Tecnoma Industries.

"He will be sorely missed by his families both at home and at work (Aviation Manufacturing, Callies Performance Products and Energy Manufacturing) and is a larger-than-life personality that asked for little and gave much to many," said Heath Norton in a social media post. "He has an absolute passion for manufacturing and taught all who worked with him, and he is rewarded with fierce loyalty and dedication by his work family. We will continue our march forward to provide our customers and friends with world-class products."

To honor Norton, Callies Performance Products has announced a Celebration of Life event set for Monday, June 26, from 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. EDT.

The event--held at Callies Performance Products, 901 S. Union St., Fostoria, Ohio--will benefit the Greater Fostoria Community Foundation for a scholarship fund in Norton's name. The scholarship will benefit local students pursuing a career in the manufacturing and metalworking industries.

Attendees will be able to take a tour of Callies Performance Products, get autographs and photos with three-time NHRA champion Ron Capps (12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. EDT) and view NHRA cars on display, including the Funny Car driven by Ron Capps and the ProMod driven by J.R. Gray and tuned by 2018 NHRA Pro Mod Champion Mike Janis. 

Those that cannot attend but want to donate can send checks to:

Greater Fostoria Community Foundation
PO Box 684
Fostoria, Ohio 44830
Note in check memo: Richard W. Norton, Jr. Scholarship Fund

T-shirts are also available for $20, and proceeds will benefit the scholarship fund. Shirts can be purchased at the event and online through the Callies website, callies.com.