Background
Rondthaler, Edward was born on June 9, 1905 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of Howard Edward and Katharine (Boring) Rondthaler.
lexicographer graphic designer
Rondthaler, Edward was born on June 9, 1905 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of Howard Edward and Katharine (Boring) Rondthaler.
Student, Westminster Choir College, 1928. Bachelor of Arts North Carolina, 1929. Doctor of Fine Arts, Drake University, 1976.
A longtime resident of the village of Croton-on-Hudson, New York, Rondthaler became a centenarian in 2005. Rondthaler received his first small printing press at the age of 5, thus starting his career in the graphic arts Working in New York in the 1930s, he associated with Harold Horman of the Rutherford Machinery Company
Together they adapted a step-and-repeat machine (for texture and metal printing) for photographic lettering, and in 1936 founded Photo Lettering Incorporated.
In 1969, Rondthaler associated with Aaron Burns and Herb Lubalin in founding the International Typeface Corporation.
Foreign several decades, International Trade Commission furnished manufacturers of photographic, electronic and laser equipment, a plethora of superb typefaces. In later life, Rondthaler became interested in promoting the spelling reform of the English language as a means of fighting illiteracy.
He was also an avid historian. Rondthaler credited his long and healthy life to clean living, good genes, and regular cold showers.
Rondthaler wrote a weekly letter to the editor of the local newspaper.
Formerly very active in his community, for reasons of health he moved to Utah in 2008 to be closer to his family. He died of natural causes in Utah on August 19, 2009 at the age of 104. Since turning 100 Rondthaler had been featured in a number of commercials which had led to his most recent notoriety.
Featured in Genworth Financial 100 + stories ad campaign.
Featured in Pearle Vision I Have Seen ad campaign. Featured in House Industries House Industries Presents Editor Rondthaler ad campaign.
(Alphabet - a treasury of letter designs; Thesaurus, na en...)
(Second edition. Actually a revised edition of volume one ...)
Chairman Croton Free Library, Croton-on-Hudson, New York, 1964-1966. Board dirs.Am. Literacy Council, New York City, since 1985, president, since 1988. Member New York Type Dirs.
Club (vice president 1960-1962, medal 1975), Simplified Spelling Society, Spelling Action Society, Phi Beta Kappa.
Married Dorothy Reid. Children: Edward, David Lee, Timothy.