Wayne County Civil War Round Table to host Romich program

The Wayne County Civil War Round Table will host a free public program featuring Barry Romich and Izy Meshew of the Romich Foundation at 7 p.m. June 2 at the Wayne County Historical Society schoolhouse, 546 E. Bowman St., Wooster.

The program titled Disability, Technology and Philanthropy, A Local Story will highlight the 60-year history of Wooster-based Prentke Romich Company, now PRC-Saltillo, which was formed as a partnership between two unlikely individuals.

The presentation also will cover the founding of RBB Systems and the creation of Romich Foundation and Romich Foundation Makerspace, a subsidiary that has supported much of the Wayne County nonprofit community.

Romich grew up in a farming family in Wayne County. He earned an engineering degree from Case Western Reserve University. While a student there, he co-founded Prentke Romich Company. He also co-founded what is now RBB Systems. His focus is now on operating Romich Foundation, which benefits the nonprofit community.

Meshew also is a product of Wayne County and a part-time student at the University of Akron, where she studies business and entrepreneurship. She is the manager of Romich Foundation Makerspace and is known in the local nonprofit community. The foundation has found that making things for nonprofit organizations can provide them with greater value than simply writing checks.

Parking is available on-site by entering from the Spink Street entrance and along the fence in the Drug Mart parking lot. For more information about the Wayne County Historical Society, visit waynehistoricalohio.org.

For questions call Penny Gasbarre at 330-845-3069 or email pennygasbarre@gmail.com. The program is made possible by the Wayne County Historical Society and Wayne County Civil War Round Table members.