In tribute to Karen Buchwald Wright, who passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 15, Mount Vernon News is republishing her official obituary from Snyder Funeral Homes.
Snyder Funeral Homes also announced that a Celebration of Life service will be held at Hodges Chapel on the Mount Vernon Nazarene University, Saturday, Oct. 25, at 10 a.m.
Karen Buchwald Wright, 71, patriot, business leader, philanthropist, unrivaled benefactor of her home town, and beloved mother and daughter, passed away peacefully at her home on October 15th, 2025 after a brave, hard-fought battle with cancer.
The former CEO and Chairman of Ariel Corporation is survived by her husband, Tom Rastin, her sons Alex (Libby), Andy (Jenn), and Sam (Tate), her mother Maureen Buchwald, daughter-in-law Katie, grandchildren Evie, Lark, Annabelle, Frances, Sloane, Capri and Remi, and a brother Kurt (Heide). She was predeceased by her son Hunter, her father James, and in youth by her brother, Philip.
Born on July 4th, Karen from childhood embraced a deep affinity for America’s founding, and especially for George Washington. She became a major supporter of his historic Virginia home, Mount Vernon. By happy coincidence, she was born in the Ohio town of the same name, and after returning from St. Olaf College (she graduated in 1974), Karen joined the company launched by her father. While raising a family of four boys, Karen grew Ariel Corporation into the world’s leading manufacturer of gas compressors, which played a central role in America’s energy revolution. She was proud of the corporate culture she developed at Ariel, focusing on ways to elevate and benefit its employees. Given the company’s sustained success, in 2009 she founded The Ariel Foundation, which focused its philanthropic attention on local causes, its outpouring of generosity and leadership – which underwrote and partnered in hundreds of projects – revitalizing Karen’s beloved home town.
Her personal charity also extended across the nation: Karen supported many institutions which embraced the principles of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and free-markets. She was a respected voice on energy issues, and served on numerous national and local boards, including Kenyon College and Knox County Foundation among others. In addition to her profound benevolence, Karen was equally generous in offering nonprofit organizations and their leaders her time, wise counsel, and unfailing friendship, which never faded, even during her prolonged health battle.
Witty and well read, beautiful inside and out, Karen loved her family, her community, her country and her God. Above all else, she most loved being a mother.
A celebration of life service will be held at Hodges Chapel of the Mount Vernon Nazarene University, on Saturday, October 25, 2025 at 10:00 AM and streamed at mvnu.tv under Live Events. Burial will be private.
Memorial contributions may be made to the following organizations that were very dear to Karen: George Washington’s Mount Vernon (Virginia) at www.mountvernon.org/kbw or Kokosing Gap Trail at PO Box 129, Gambier, Ohio 4302
The Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home of Mount Vernon is honored to serve the family of Karen Anne Buchwald Wright.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Karen Anne Buchwald Wright, please visit Snyder Funeral Homes' floral store.
