Oscar C. “Chip” Blomgren Jr. ’51

Oscar C. “Chip” Blomgren Jr. ’51 died in Lake Bluff, Illinois, on August 10, 2021. He was a prolific inventor, holding several dozen patents, and a successful entrepreneur. The focus of Chip’s entrepreneurial activities was the Tuxco Corp. in Geneva, Illinois, where he served as founder and chief executive. Tuxco is a global leader in the manufacture of hydraulic cylinder service equipment, especially for farm use. Chip was named Illinois Entrepreneur of the Year in 1973. He was also active in Republican electoral politics; he was campaign manager for several state and local candidates. Other interests included the Navy League, of which he was president, the Exchange Club, and the Illinois Manufacturers Association. Chip was also an avid outdoorsman, enjoying camping, fishing, and river rafting. At Dartmouth Chip majored in earth sciences and geology and was a member of Gamma Delta Chi.