DAYTON, OH—Michael J. Cleary, Ph.D., founder and president of PQ Systems, Inc. and a professor emeritus at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio died on September 10, 2014 at age 75.

Michael Cleary was born June 3, 1939 in Dumont, New Jersey. He was a graduate of Norwich University and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He earned his Ph.D. in economics and business management from the University of Nebraska. He was a member of the Partridge Society of Norwich University, and he was also elected to their Board of Fellows.

Dr. Cleary, a noted authority in the field of quality management and a charter member of the Education Division of the American Society for Quality Control (now ASQ), opened PQ Systems, Inc. in 1984 with headquarters in Dayton, Ohio, later opening PQ Systems Pty Ltd. in Frankston, Australia, serving the Pacific Rim, and PQ Systems Europe, with sales in continental Europe and the Middle East. The company’s products help organizations demonstrate proof of the quality of products and services, using statistical process control and problem-solving tools. PQ Systems was named among the top 25 Best Places to Work in Dayton in 2014.

Cleary played a principal role in developing the Transformation of American Industry national training project as well as the Total Quality Transformation training system. He served on the planning committee for the U.S.-Japanese Business Conference in Tokyo, and presented papers on statistical process control and the applications of quality management principles to a variety of audiences in Korea, China, France, Great Britain, Australia, Singapore, and Japan. He was author of Data Analysis Handbook Using SPSS, as well as co-author of Practical Tools for Continuous Improvement and Total Quality Transformation.

He was a Professor of Management Science, At Wright State University from 1971-1996, where he was awarded the Business College Associates Alumni Teaching Award. His 25 year professorship in management science enabled Cleary to conduct extensive research and garner valuable experience in expanding quality management methods. He was a leader in bringing quality management into the curriculum of the College of Business, and published articles and papers on issues related to quality management, statistical applications, and decision sciences in a variety of academic and professional journals. He was a frequent speaker on issues related to quality management and statistical methods.

Dr. Cleary was a member of the Miami Valley School Board of Trustees from 1990 to 2014, and of the St. Leonard Faith Community, where he was an usher and sacristan for many years. He also served as a member of the Board of Directors for Eagle Registrations, in Dayton, Ohio.

Cleary had stepped away from the direct operations of PQ Systems several years ago to focus his energy on giving back – working tirelessly on the board of the Miami Valley School, and forwarding the growth of his alma mater Norwich University, among other endeavors. While still an integral part of the culture of PQ, and a daily fixture in the office, Mike had turned over the operations of the company to the capable hands of Managing Director, Beth Savage. While Mike’s absence will be felt for a long time to come, his legacy of quality improvement will live on at PQ and the company will continue to operate much the same.

Cleary is survived by his wife of 50 years, Barbara A. Cleary, Ph.D., and their four sons: Sean (Katherine St. John); Timothy (Laura Jackson); Matthew (Liz Hansen); and Dennis (Karina Johansen); grandsons Michael Wyatt Cleary, Harmon Hempstead Cleary; Daniel St. John Cleary, Victor Thomas Cleary; granddaughter Johanna Sol Cleary; sister Joan Buckman, brother in law John Rathman, and nieces and nephews.

Condolences may be made to [email protected].