Charles J. Didion

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Masses, Birth Right of St. Charles or St. Charles Borromeo Adopt-A-Student Program. Didion, Mr. Charles J.; INVENTOR, OWNER OF DIDION MANUFACTURING COMPANY. Chuck Didion, an entrepreneur long before the term was made popular, died at St. John's Mercy Medical Center on February 12, 2009 from complications after tumbling down a hillside. He was 81 years old. Mr. Didion owned Didion & Sons Foundry Co. with his four brothers and a sister before starting his own equipment manufacturing operation. Didion & Sons Foundry is one of St. Louis' oldest privately owned firms dating back to 1875. Always looking for a better way of doing things, Charles "Chuck" Didion invented a Rotary Sand Casting Separator that revolutionized the way hot cast metal parts were processed. Didion Manufacturing Company was founded in 1975, so he could concentrate on developing his ideas into commercial products. Didion Manufacturing is located in St. Peters, Missouri and is now owned and operated by one of his sons, Michael Didion. His first invention eliminated one of the most dangerous and difficult jobs in a foundry, a manufacturing process where scrap metal is melted and then cast into various shapes. When the molten metal solidifies within its sand mold the combined components are conveyed into the Didion Drum where they are automatically separated from each other and discharged from different ends of the machine. The castings are transferred for further processing while the sand is recycled for new molds. Mr. Didion's inventions are utilized by some of the biggest names in American industry including, Caterpillar, John Deere, General Motors, Ford, Honda, Emerson, Victualic and all the major tier 1 suppliers to the agricultural, automotive, construction, electrical, hydraulic irrigation, municipal and truck industries. Didion Rotary Foundry Equipment has a strong record of increasing efficiency, improving the workplace and providing significant savings with a payback in a matter of a few months. His machinery is utilized in aluminum, brass, ductile, gray and malleable iron foundries, as well as in factories that produce steel castings. Mr. Didion holds 26 patents and his Rotary Drums are installed in over 700 foundries in 47 countries around the world. The company is the world leader in Rotary Processing Machinery. He was a member of the Casting Industry and Suppliers Association, Ductile Iron Society and American Foundry Society and holds its life achievement award for his contributions to the foundry industry. He is respected worldwide and his inventions improved the lives of thousands of foundry workers. His sharing of time and talent definitely made the world a better place. He was a kind and humble gentleman with a great sense of humor. Besides being an avid outdoorsman, Mr. Didion traveled the world and was an accomplished multi engine, instrument rated pilot. He was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in St. Charles, Missouri. Mr. Didion was a graduate of Affton High School, in south St. Louis. Mr. Didion is survived by Ruth, his wife of 57 years; one daughter Linda (Ron) Pallmann of St. Louis; four sons, James (Laura) Didion of St. Charles, Richard (Karen) Didion of Lake Saint Louis, Michael (Theresa) Didion of St. Peters and David (Angie) Didion of St. Peters; four siblings and 14 grandchildren.