Gustav Imhauser

Gustav Imhauser Gustav “Gus” Imhauser passed away on June 26, 2026, at the age of 88 in Hillsborough, New Jersey. Born on February 21, 1938, in Olpe, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany, Gus was the youngest by ten years and the only son of Karl and Maria Imhauser. He was the beloved brother of Erika Schmelzer, Helga Pape, and Christel Worm. Germany Gus’s childhood unfolded against the backdrop of World War II. He often recalled seeking shelter in the bunker dug into the hillside behind his family’s home during Allied air raids. Among his earliest memories from the war was learning some of his first English by asking the American soldiers stationed in his hometown, “Have you chocolate?” His father, Karl, founder of Karl Imhauser Brass Manufacturing, instilled in him a lifelong work ethic, a fascination with engineering and manufacturing, and a love of athletics. Gus especially loved gymnastics, and one of his favorite family stories was his father’s explanation that “gymnastics is more important than school” because, during World War I, he had survived by doing somersaults between trees to avoid enemy fire. America In 1958, at just twenty years old, Gus boarded a transatlantic ocean liner and immigrated alone to New York City. He often recalled his father giving him an envelope containing $1,000 before boarding, along with the advice, “Don’t do anything foolish with this money!” His move fulfilled a dream that had begun with his father’s travels to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the 1920s to work for the Westinghouse Company: that the family business would one day establish roots in America. While in the United States, Gus earned his Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from New York University and remained active in gymnastics through the New York Turnverein, where he formed lifelong friendships and met his first wife, Marion Schaeffer. In the late 1960s, he moved to central New Jersey, where he founded Industrial Tube Corporation and began raising a family. Following the passing of his father in 1970, Gus assumed leadership of both the American and German branches of the family brass tubing business, making twice-monthly transatlantic trips, occasionally aboard the Concorde. After the sale of the German parent company in 1982, he devoted his efforts to the American business. As manufacturing became increasingly global, his work took him throughout Europe, China, and beyond. His business ventures in China began at an age when many would have been considering retirement and refining their golf game. Perhaps his greatest professional satisfaction came from seeing the business continue through the next generation. His daughter Lydia joined the company after earning her engineering degree and helped lead its expansion, growing the business to more than 120 employees. Later, his son Kenneth joined as well, continuing a family tradition of engineering and manufacturing that now spans four generations. Eventually, Gus stepped away from day-to-day leadership of Industrial Tube Corporation, entrusting the company to Lydia and Kenneth. Family While Gus loved engineering and business, his family remembers him just as vividly at home. He could often be found manning the home-made charcoal grill during long summer Sundays while the children spent the afternoon in the swimming pool. Every Christmas Eve, he took the children to a movie, including Christmas Vacation, Home Alone, and Star Trek VI, while “Santa,” their mother Marion, prepared the family’s traditional European Christmas celebration. The evening’s festivities began with Gus ringing a large Swiss cowbell. Being an engineer did not stop when he came home. Using cement, stainless steel, and welding equipment from the family factory, he constructed backyard swing sets for the family that could withstand the strongest hurricane. He also built driveway and poolside basketball hoops for his daughter Silvia, who excelled at this sport. He also famously treated the swimming pool as a backyard chemistry experiment, with varying degrees of success in keeping the water blue and free of algae. Gus delighted in watching his children compete in gymnastics, traveling throughout the country to cheer them on, including his sons Kenneth and Carl and his daughter Marion Jr. during their collegiate careers. Later in life, he welcomed his daughter Maria with his wife, Shirley. Maria’s success in wrestling continues the family’s tradition of athletic achievement. Life also brought profound sorrow. He endured the heartbreaking loss of his eldest son, Oliver Karl, whose memory remained with him always. In accordance with his wishes, Gus will be buried beside Oliver. His memory is carried forward by his current wife: Shirley, his first wife Marion, his six surviving children: Lydia Kirsten and her husband Matthew Gutman; Silvia Ilse and her husband Greg Cancila; Kenneth Gustav and his wife Karen; Carl William and his wife Christine; Marion Jr. and her husband Scott Squires; and Maria, daughter of Gus and his wife, Shirley. He is also survived by nine grandchildren: Matthew Jr., Marcus, and Lucas Gutman; Alexis and Sarah Cancila; Amanda and Jessica Imhauser; and Samantha and Oliver Squires. They continue the family traditions of excellence in engineering and athletics. Legacy Gus’s life spanned extraordinary change: from wartime Germany to its economic rebirth; from carrying on the family business in America to helping it grow across generations; from transatlantic ocean liners to Concorde flights; and from rebuilding Europe after World War II to manufacturing in a global economy. Those who knew Gus are just as likely to remember his deep curiosity. Conversations with him might span metallurgy and the science of brass annealing, chemistry and the art of making olive oil soap, Greek and Roman history, politics, or anything else that had recently captured his interest. He especially enjoyed recalling his first sight of New York Harbor and the construction of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. He appreciated irreverent humor, especially that of Benny Hill and Peter Sellers, and loved telling stories, particularly of his childhood in Germany and his days as a young man exploring New York City, from Yorkville to Fire Island. He maintained a lasting affection for German traditions, including his native Olpe’s Schützenfest and German marching music. He will be remembered for his curiosity, his love of building and engineering, his willingness to embrace new challenges, and his belief that hard work, the courage to take risks, and ingenuity could create opportunity. Those values, which guided him throughout his life, remain a lasting legacy for his family. A visitation will be held at Ketusky Funeral Home,1310 Brooks Blvd. Manville, NJ on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., followed by a burial service at Neshanic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Maria’s college fund https://gofund.me/fd437459f.

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Gustav Imhauser

February 21, 1938 - June 26, 2026