Post from Woodworking Network

Troutman N,C. -- Charles Rudolph Onsrud, the founder and former CEO of C.R. Onsrud USA, manufacturers of CNC machinery, died Nov. 21, 2021, from complications related to knee replacement surgery.

Onsrud was born on Aug. 26, 1931, in Chicago, and was the grandson of Oscar Onsrud, founder of Onsrud Machine Works. He worked for his father Rudy Onsrud at Onsrud Machine Works until he moved his family to Statesville, N.C., to be close to the furniture manufacturing industry and to work for Garrison Machinery, selling the Onsrud machines. In 1976, he launched C.R. Onsrud in Troutman, N.C.

Onsrud designed and patented the inverted router, which the company says improved functionality and overcame the inherent safety issues associated with a traditional overarm router and is still in production today.

He was the recipient of many prestigious awards, including:

• A Challengers Award for distinguished achievement in the advancement of the furniture and woodworking industry at the International Woodworking Machinery Furniture Supply Fair. Onsrud was the recipient at two consecutive trade shows for his innovations.
• The Baldwin Award from Woodworking Machinery Manufacturers of America for most exemplified leadership and outstanding contributions to the millwork industry.
• Partner of the Year Award from the Woodworking Machinery Distributors Association. The distributors association decided they wanted to honor a manufacturer who exemplifies the spirit of true partnership, C. R. Onsrud was its first recipient.
• President's "E" Award for excellence in expansion of US exports.

Onsrud, who formally retired from the company in 1996, was an Army veteran, and a proponent of American-made products.

To celebrate Onsrud's life, services will be held:

Wednesday, Dec. 1 at 2:00 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church
125 N. Meeting Street
Statesville, NC 28677

The family will visit with friends following the service at the church. A private family burial will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Shriners Hospital.