Master die engraver David Bruck (1956-present) grew up on a farm near Leesburg, Pennsylvania, which his parents had purchased when they were married in the early 1950s. His interests in art emerged while he was attending local schools, and he takes pride in his high school art teacher’s favorable comments about some of his work for Wendell August.

Dave first worked for Wendell August in 1976 and 1977 as a finisher, and then continued to work some weekend and summer hours while studying commercial art at the Community College of Allegheny County in Pittsburgh. After completing his degree in 1979, he designed and lettered signs for a shop in the Pittsburgh area, until the opportunity unexpectedly arose in early 1980 to become a die engraver for Wendell August.

Since joining Wendell August as a die engraver, Dave has engraved about 600 dies, most of which have been based on his own original artwork. The first motif that he engraved for a showroom piece was the classic Wedding Bell design, still a favorite today. Among the motifs that he has developed and with which he is the most pleased are Farm Scene, Ruffed Grouse, Satellite Drive-In, Love Birds, Timber Wolves for the Wildlife Limited Edition Series, and A Savior is Born for the Limited Edition Christmas Plate Series.

Although other responsibilities leave him with little time for artistic pursuits, he retains an interest in watercolors, sculpture, and sign design and lettering. Dave and his wife, Eva (Edwards) Bruck, reside in the Grove City area with their three sons, Aaron, Tristan, and Clinton.

Master die engraver Leonard Youngo (1959-present) was born in Richmond, Kentucky where his father was a student at Eastern University. In 1967, after living in Greenville, Pennsylvania and Warren, Ohio, the Youngo family settled in Grove City, Pennsylvania.

Len attended Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, majoring first in biology and then in mathematics, earning his degree in 1981. Somewhat undecided as to his future career direction, he obtained a position as a finisher at Wendell August while he explored various career options. While at Wendell August, his earlier talents and interest in art and handcrafts were stimulated, and when a die engraving opportunity became available in 1982, Len applied and was selected as an apprentice for the position.

Len’s Renaissance background and talents have served him well in the intervening years, during which time he has executed almost 800 die engravings at Wendell August, for some of which he has developed the original art work. The first motif that he engraved for a showroom piece was the face of Emmett Kelly for Clown Face. Favored among the motifs that he has engraved are Indian on Horseback, McConnell’s Mill, Pittsburgh Collage, Oriental Village, Building a Snowman for the Limited Edition Christmas Plate Series, and most recently, Creekside Memories.

Len’s personal interests include athletics, dinosaurs and archaeology, and woodworking. He and his wife, Beth (Michels) Youngo, reside in the Grove City area with their two children, Andrea and Michael.

Paul Staff has been a Finishing Craftsman at Wendell August for the past 24 years. "It’s a great place to work. The environment and people are great." He likes the history surrounding Wendell August and the fact that the company is still operated today the same way it was when it was first founded. He says that "very few companies can say that today and companies like ours are getting fewer and fewer."

Paul’s job consists of buffing the scratches and blemishes out of the piece of metal the craftsmen have hammered. He adds color, then polishes and shines the piece to final luster, leaving just enough of the color to highlight the design. Paul likes the feeling of a job well done—a sense of pride. "To add the beauty to the design created by the die engravers and the great product hammered by the other craftsmen—it’s a thrill to finish it up and polish it." Paul says his favorite part of his job is "at the end of working a product, seeing its beauty reflecting in its nice shine."

He also enjoys interaction with the guests on the Grove City workshop tour. "They get a kick out of seeing what we do. Folks come on tour and have to bring their families back because of the experience. They can’t believe making things the old way is still around today."

Wendell August is proud to recognize Paul for his outstanding service at work and with the community. He is currently serving his second four-year term with the Clay Township Planning Commission of Butler County. Paul is a skilled organic gardener. His interests also include horses and he is a lifetime member of the American Quarter Horse Association. He has attended all 34 Quarter Horse Congresses in Columbus, Ohio.

ED MCBRIDE

Although he’s worked in many facets of the Wendell August workshop during his 24-year career, Ed says his favorite part of the job is the people he works with.  “We get along like one big family,” he says. 

Ed’s current duties include final assembly on designs with multiple parts such as mirrors, mugs, and more.  He’s also responsible for combining metals on certain designs, creating custom plaques and applying the protective lacquer on bronze and silver items. 

“Every day is different because my job entails so many different things,” he explains.  “I love the challenge.” 

In his spare time, Ed goes to flea markets and auctions to find and collect antique Wendell August pieces.  He says, “I don’t care what it’s worth—I just like collecting for the sake of its beauty and the fact you don’t see much of it anymore.”  The piece he is most proud of his Amelia Earhart tray.  Even the Wendell August archive doesn’t have that piece in its collection.  In fact all that they know about the tray is that it was made in the 1930’s and there is only one other known piece made.  However, who originally requested the pieces, how many were made, or to whom the trays were given, is unknown.  Now that is a truly collectible piece!