Harry F. “Bud” Hoelzle, David C. and Mark A. Thornton
The Harry F. “Bud” Hoelzle, David C. and Mark A. Thornton Endowed Scholarship
Established in 2008 by Mr. Mark A. Thornton and Mrs. Elaine Hoelzle Thornton
Harry F. “Bud” Hoelzle is the father-in-law of David C. Thornton and grandfather of Mark A. Thornton. Bud was born in Flint, Michigan on March 17, 1919. He graduated from Tri-State University in Angola, Indiana with his bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering. As a chemical engineer, Bud spent a 40 year rewarding career with E.I. duPont de Nemours, Inc. from 1941-1981. While living in Kalamazoo, Michigan, he was active with the Western Michigan University Pulp and Paper Program. Bud was affiliated with TAPPI and PIMA and was the National PIMA Man of the Year in 1982. Bud was an extraordinary salesman to the paper industry, learning each paper mill’s process needs and helping them succeed by selling them the chemicals to do so. Bud was an Eagle Scout, very active in the Boy Scouts and loved the outdoors. He and his wife of 62 years, Virginia, loved traveling to all 50 states and throughout the world. Bud was also very active in his church, the Kiwanis, and a Mason. Bud passed away July 23, 2012 at the age of 93 in Pigeon, Michigan. Bud’s beaming bubbly personality endeared him to all.
Bud Hoelzle was instrumental in encouraging David C. Thornton to study Paper Science and Engineering at Western Michigan University.
David C. Thornton is the father of Mark A. Thornton and son-in-law of Harry F. “Bud” Hoelzle. David was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on September 18, 1946. He graduated from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1968 and 1970 with bachelors and master’s degrees in Paper Science and Engineering. After interning at Ziegler Papierfabrik in Switzerland, David spent his career working on developing chemicals for paper at Dow Chemical and BASF then worked as a Technical and Development Manager with paperboard companies Rock Tenn (West Rock) and Bontex. He was affiliated with TAPPI and PIMA and served on the scholarship committee at NC State. David is an Eagle Scout, Elder in his church, and has been happily married for over 51 years. With his wife Elaine, he loves traveling and the outdoors and together they are currently volunteering at the Sea Turtle Preservation Society taking people to see loggerhead turtles lay their eggs.
Both his grandfather and father encouraged Mark A. Thornton to study paper science.
Mark A. Thornton is a 1997 graduate of the Paper Science and Engineering program at NC State University and received a 2017 Executive MBA certificate from Kellogg Business School at Northwestern University. While at NC State, Mark met the love of his life, Elizabeth (Sutton). Elizabeth is a 1997 graduate from NC State’s College of Sciences (formerly the College of Physical Sciences and Applied Mathematics) and the College of Education. During his paper studies, Mark had two summer internships with The Procter & Gamble Company. After graduating, he started his career at Procter & Gamble headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio. Mark and Elizabeth have lived and worked around the world – Frankfurt, Germany (2 times); Beijing, China (5 years); and Cincinnati, Ohio. Mark is an executive in the largest business unit, Baby Care, with responsibility for Global Materials. Mark is a third generation Eagle Scout, and active in the Boy Scouts with his sons Luke (4th generation Eagle Scout) and Adam (Star Scout). Mark was elected to the EDANA Board of Governors in 2019 and serves as a thought leader for the industry’s direction. He also is Chairman of the Board for Youth Compass in Germany, AmCham sponsor member, and goes to Crossroads Church. Today, Mark and Elizabeth live in Frankfurt, Germany.
Mark, his grandfather Harry “Bud” Hoelzle, and his father David C. Thornton, all named in the endowed scholarship, had lucrative careers in the paper or related industries.
Donors
Mark A. Thornton is a 1997 graduate of the Paper Science and Engineering program at NC State University and a 2017 Executive MBA certificate from Kellogg Business School at Northwestern University.
Elaine (Mrs. David C.) Thornton is the daughter of Harry “Bud” Hoelzle, wife of David C. and mother of Mark A. Thornton. She graduated in 1968 from the Honor’s College at Western Michigan University.