WASHINGTON, DC — During the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association’s (AOPA) 2011 National Assembly, AOPA presented its Lifetime Achievement Award to Robert E. Arbogast, the long-time CEO of WillowWood and now serves as the company’s Research and Product Development Specialist.
Founded as The Ohio Willow Wood Company in 1907 by William E. Arbogast – a bilateral amputee, the company still has its roots down in rural Mt. Sterling, Ohio. Robert E. Arbogast began working for his family’s company in 1969, ultimately working his way up to the positions of CEO and President. Mr. Arbogast has not only successfully led WillowWood’s growth for several decades, but has been a zealous innovator, holding more than 20 U.S. Patents with his brother Joseph for their inventions.
AOPA’s President Tom DiBello, CO, FAAOP, remarked at the ceremony that, “Bob’s place in the history of our industry is not simply as a productive and successful manager of people and assets, but as an engineering innovator and visionary.”
WillowWood predated the founding of AOPA by ten years, but four generations of Arbogasts have contributed their time and energies in the association including Robert, who served as chairman of the National Office AOPA Board of Directors. Mr. Arbogast has successfully pursued his vocation within the O&P community, and is a part of a vital legacy and family who have been committed to creating devices that allow amputees to lead functionally normal lifestyles