Harlan R. Getman

Harlan R. Getman, age 86, of Sylvania, passed away Tuesday, September 8, 2009 at Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Perrysburg. He was born March 15, 1923 in Clifford, New York to Harland and Alice Getman. He grew up on a small family dairy farm, the second of three children. Harlan attended Cornell University where he majored in Dairy Science/Refrigeration; he left college in 1942 to serve his country in WWII as a Second Lt. in the Army, serving in the European Theatre. He returned to Cornell in 1946 to earn his Bachelors degree, where he graduated with top honors. While at the university, a classmate, Arnold Page of Toledo offered Harlan a position as production manager at Page Dairy, initiating his career in the ice cream industry. While in Toledo, Harlan met Bob Vroman with whom he partnered to create an ice cream novelty company known as Vroman Ice Cream. For the next 35 years, Harlan served as Vice President and Production Manager of what came to be known as Vroman Foods, Inc., where he was responsible for the development of the Chilly Things brand of ice cream novelties. Among his remarkable achievements were 29 U.S. patents for product and machinery, creation of Toledo Frigid Lines, a trucking company that delivered refrigerated product, and The Bakery, Inc., which created cookie products for a variety of ice cream sandwiches. In 1986 Vroman Foods was sold to General Mills and Harlan remained as consultant until his retirement in 1989. Since retirement, Harlan enjoyed traveling the world with his special companion, Margie Rusgo, furthering his education through Elder Hostels and college classes, and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of over 40 years, the former Nancy Dowling who passed away January 11, 1997. Surviving are his daughters, Lori Thodd VanAllen and Jill Philip Turner; grandchildren, Sarah and Ashley Zahn, Kevin and Kristyn VanAllen, and Kimberlee Turner; brother, Leland Jann Getman; sister, Aleta Bill Huston; 10 nieces and nephews; and very special companion, Margie Rusgo and her entire family. Friends and family may visit on Saturday from 1 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm at the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 W. Sylvania Ave. west of Corey Rd. where funeral services will be held on Sunday at 2:30 pm. The family suggest memorial contributions be made to Hospice of Northwest Ohio, 30000 East River Road, Perrysburg, OH 43551-3429 or to the Charity of the Donors Choice. Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.walkerfuneralhomes.com