Richard “Steve” O’Brien, 78, passed away Monday, March 30, peacefully at his home, with his loving wife, Joan, by his side, following a brief and courageous battle with brain cancer.

Steve had a long career at Onsrud Cutter, Mfg, in Libertyville, IL eventually becoming president, CEO and chairman of the company.

During his time at Onsrud Cutter, he was well known in the woodworking, plastics, and aerospace industries. Steve was able to vastly impact these industries due to his professional and personal involvement in each.

Steve led the company to produce cutting tool designs to address the shift from hand routing of wood products to the CNC routing of engineered wood panel products. This led to numerous industry awards. He recognized the growing usage of plastic and composite materials within various industries and led the development of advanced tooling designs using ceramics, diamond coatings, and polycrystalline diamond.

Steve always supported and encouraged wood technology training at the technical and secondary education levels. He established Onsrud’s internal training efforts, which continue to this day.

Memorials can be made to FirstHealth Hospice and Palliative Care, 150 Applecross Road, Pinehurst, NC 28374.