Never Leaving Problems Unsolved

An innovative industrialist from an early age, Ed Malzahn made a global impact in the trenching industry when his company, Charles Machine Works, developed the world’s first service line trencher, later branded Ditch Witch. But, in his hometown of Perry, Oklahoma, Malzahn and his family are far better known for their generous commitment to their community.

For Ed, listening to and supporting his employees and community were of the utmost importance throughout his tenure as CEO. The family invested in the Perry Public Schools to encourage education in their community, and when employees began talking about needing a place to exercise, he became an adamant supporter of the Noble County YMCA.

In 1992, Ed and his wife, Mary, established the Malzahn Family Affiliated Fund to ensure their support of the Perry community would last in perpetuity. With a gift from his estate in 2015 and the recent sale of Charles Machine Works, the fund has grown significantly, now supporting a number of community grants and scholarships for Perry and the surrounding area.