Tony Pape, Accuride director, aftermarket strategy and sales, dies at 53

Aug. 5, 2015
Services set for Aug. 7-8 and Aug. 12-13

Accuride Corporation announced with great sadness the passing of longtime company and industry veteran Tony Pape.

Pape, who passed away Monday, Aug. 3, had served as the company's director of aftermarket strategy and sales, led the company's Distributor Advisory Council and had a career in the North American commercial vehicle industry that spanned more than a quarter century.

"It is with great sorrow that we share the news that Accuride and the commercial vehicle industry lost a tremendous contributor with the passing of Tony Pape," Rick Dauch, Accuride president and CEO, said.  "All of us at Accuride extend our deepest condolences to Tony's wife Leslie and three children. The family is in our hearts and prayers at this difficult time. Our focus also is on supporting Accuride's associates through the process of grieving the loss of their colleague and friend. Tony was known and loved throughout our industry for his knowledge and sincerity and the kind, considerate way he conducted himself personally and professionally. We deeply appreciate Tony's many contributions to our Company and the North American Commercial vehicle industry during the course of his career. I know that I speak for many when I say that he will be greatly missed."

Pape resided in Newburgh, Ind., with his family. He was 53. Funeral arrangements to honor and mourn the loss of Pape will be held in Indiana and Illinois. Family will receive friends Friday, Aug. 7, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Alexander Funeral Home, 5333 State Road 261, Newburgh, Ind. Funeral service is Saturday, Aug. 8, at 4 p.m. at First Christian Church of Newburgh, 4544 State Road 261, Newburgh.

Additionally, family will receive friends Wednesday, Aug. 12, from 3 to 9 p.m. at Rago Brothers Funeral Home, 7751 W. Irving Park Road, Chicago, Ill. Funeral service is tentatively Thursday, Aug. 13, at St. Luke Parish, 528 Lathrup Ave., River Forest, Ill.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial tributes be made to the “Tony Pape Memorial Fund” to support his children’s higher education goals. Checks should be made payable to “Tony Pape Memorial Fund,” Fifth Third Bank, P.O. Box 762, Newburgh, IN 47629.

An industry veteran with more than 27 years of sales and marketing experience, Pape joined Accuride in 2005 in an aftermarket leadership role. He held subsequent sales and marketing positions before being appointed to his current role in March 2013.

Pape reported to Scott Hazlett, senior vice president of operations and was based at Accuride's Evansville, Ind., headquarters. Prior to his 10-year Accuride career, Pape had spent more than 14 years with Meritor in various marketing, sales, and finance roles.

Pape earned his MBA and bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Illinois.  A past member of the Commercial Vehicle Solutions Network board of directors, Pape had represented Accuride on the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association's Marketing and Sales Forum.

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