George E. Gasser, former CEO and youngest of the three founding brothers of Gasser Chair Company, died last week at age 80 in his home town of Youngstown, Ohio.  

Gasser built the furniture company he founded in the mid-1940s with his two brothers into one of the most successful gaming industry vendors, providing seating to casinos around the world.

The three Gasser brothers (George, Louis and Roger) founded the company in a family-owned horse barn in Youngstown, using their machinist skills to work with what was a relatively new material at the time, aluminum. Early jobs included assembling storm window and screens, aluminum beer kegs and custom aluminum parts. The company became Gasser Chair in 1946, after they launched a line of aluminum-frame dinette sets, and took off after those products impressed attendees at the 1948 National Restaurant Show.

When casinos began to require slot stools, Gasser Chair became one of only a few vendors to establish itself as a prime supplier to the new market.

Gasser Chair Company remains a family-owned business, with the second and third generations of the family, teamed with some of the finest skilled and dedicated people in all aspects of the business, following the founders' original principles.

George Gasser is survived by his wife, Janet, eight children, 18 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

By Staff