Charles William (Bill) Cramer, chairman of the board of Cramer Products, Inc., passed away June 4th at the age of 86.
Cramer designed and patented an ankle brace and worked tirelessly to develop products and resources that benefited athletes and athletic trainers. He also developed one of Cramer's most well-known products, Atomic Balm.
He served as president of Cramer from 1973 1976, and also served the company as vice president of international sales and executive vice president. He retired in 1985, became vice chairman of the board in 1986, and was named chairman of the board in 1992. In 1993, as recognition for his contributions to the athletic training profession, he was named an honorary member of the National Athletic Trainers Association.
Bill was born Sept. 22, 1920, in Gardner, Kan., the son of Cramer Products co-founder Chuck Cramer and his wife, Bess.
After receiving a degree in chemistry from the University of Kansas, Bill joined the Navy during World War II. He was a navigation instructor in Alaska for several years, and then returned to the family business in Gardner.
Cramer will be remembered as a man who loved children, traveling, and the outdoors. He was an Eagle Scout, built a sailboat, had a pilots license, enjoyed fly-fishing, and played the hand bells in church. He taught Sunday school and volunteered for Habitat for Humanity.
“He was an amazing man with a true passion for many things,” says Tom Rogge, Cramers president. “He was very devoted to his family, and lived life to its fullest with many hobbies and interests. And he cared so deeply about the business his father and uncle started, and was committed for most of his adult life to helping athletic trainers in all ways possible.”
Bill Cramer is survived by his wife Jean, two sons, three daughters, 13 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister, sister-in-law and brother-in-law. He was preceded in death by his parents, Chuck and Bess Cramer; and his brother, John.
