Regal Marine founder passes away

ORLANDO, Fla. – Paul Kuck, Regal Marine Indsutries, Inc. founder and chairman, died Tuesday at the age of 76, Regal Marine said in a press release Thursday. After 83 days in the hospital his fight for life ended while his three children and their spouses surrounded him.

Born in the farming community of New Knoxville, Ohio, Kuck’s career encompassed a stint in the U.S. Army, followed by 12 years in sales, merchandising and marketing. In 1969, he and his wife Carol moved their young family to Orlando, Fla., where the twosome invested their $60,000 life savings and $40,000 from former colleagues to launch a new boat building venture, which Kuck named Regal Marine Industries, Inc.

Since founding the company 37 years ago, Kuck had been actively involved in Regal’s ongoing growth and development and built it to $160 million in annual sales, with dealers and distributors in 40 countries and two manufacturing plants including the Orlando world headquarters and Valdosta, Ga., plant, employing 850 team members.

Besides Regal, Kuck was involved in the marine industry as a whole, having served as National Marine Manufacturers Association chairman from 1988-1990, as well as serving as treasurer and on the board of directors at various points in time.

Kuck received numerous accolades and recognitions throughout his career, including the President’s E Award for export excellence, the Orlando Small Business Person of the Year, International Business Person of the Year and the Junior Achievement Hall of Fame Laureate, among many others.

“We were fortunate to work with our dad and to be mentored by him throughout our lives,” said Duane Kuck, eldest son and Regal CEO since 1994. “He invested in all of us, as well as in his friends and colleagues, and many of us are reaping great returns on his investment.”

Perhaps the ministry nearest his heart, however, was Nathaniel’s Hope,

Visitation with the family will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. The memorial service will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday. Both events will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Orlando.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in memory of Paul Kuck to Nathaniel’s Hope, an organization dedicated to helping special needs children and their families, founded by Kuck’s son Tim and wife Marie in honor of their son Nathaniel, at Nathaniel’s Hope c/o 2300 Jetport Drive, Orlando, FL 32809.

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