Portman Recognizes Life & Achievements of Ohio Businessman Tinkham "Tink" Veale II in Congressional Record

Washington, D.C. – Last week, U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) submitted an entry into the Congressional Record recognizing the life and achievements of Tinkham “Tink” Veale II, a renowned businessman and benefactor who made many contributions to Ohio.  Mr. Veale passed away in September 2012.

In the Congressional Record, Portman said, “Mr. Veale was a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist who contributed greatly to the success of numerous businesses and community institutions throughout northeast Ohio and beyond during his long life.  The impact and proud legacy of his business expertise and generosity will be realized for many years to come.”

He added, “Tink Veale was a role model and a source of inspiration to us all. He will be greatly missed, and his extraordinary legacy and giving spirit will not be forgotten.”

Mr. Veale was born in 1914 in Topeka, Kansas and moved to the Cleveland area as a child when his father joined the Eaton Corporation.  He attended Heights High School and Case Institute of Technology, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.

In the 1960s, Mr. Veale and his associates formed Alco Standard Corporation, which successfully bought small companies and helped them to succeed through keeping their management in place while contributing with capital and strategic direction.  Over the years, the company operated many businesses representing diverse industries including manufacturing, mining, and banking, as well as operating office equipment and paper distribution businesses.  

Mr. Veale was not only known as a top-notch businessman, but also as a philanthropist.  Over the years he was active in a variety of community organizations, served as a councilman in Gates Mills, Ohio, and generously supported students and institutions in Ohio, notably his alma mater, Case Western Reserve University.

Full text of Portman’s remarks in the Congressional Record is below.

Mr. President, I rise today to honor the life of Tinkham “Tink” Veale II.  Mr. Veale was a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist who contributed greatly to the success of numerous businesses and community institutions throughout northeast Ohio and beyond during his long life.  The impact and proud legacy of his business expertise and generosity will be realized for many years to come.

Mr. Veale was born in 1914 in Topeka, Kansas and moved to the Cleveland area as a child when his father joined the Eaton Corporation.  He attended Heights High School and Case Institute of Technology, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.  Mr. Veale worked for several companies including General Motors.  In 1941 he married Harriett Ernst, of the Ernst and Young accounting family, who passed away in 1998. The couple had three children, seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

In the 1960s, Veale and his associates formed Alco Standard Corporation.  Veale developed the philosophy and strategy he referred to as “corporate partnership,” through which his company acquired and financed small businesses while keeping their original management structures in place.  His success grew from buying small companies and helping them to succeed through keeping their management in place while contributing with capital and strategic direction.  Over the years, the company operated many businesses representing diverse industries including manufacturing, mining, and banking, as well as operating office equipment and paper distribution businesses. Veale served as Alco’s president and chairman until 1971 and stayed on as chairman until 1986.  By 1987, the company had 175 businesses with 16,000 employees in the United States and Europe.

Mr. Veale had a unique spirit and love of life.  Over the years he was active in a variety of community organizations, served as a councilman in Gates Mills, Ohio, and was known for raising thoroughbred horses.  Perhaps most significant, was his generous philanthropy which continues to benefit communities, students and institutions in Ohio.  He was a notable supporter of his alma mater, Case Western Reserve University, where the most recent pledge of $20 million from The Veale Foundation is being utilized for construction of a new university center, which will be named in his honor.

Tink Veale was a role model and a source of inspiration to us all. He will be greatly missed, and his extraordinary legacy and giving spirit will not be forgotten.