Father of Former Governor Dead at 86; Inventor and Sousa Band Bugler

METAIRIE, LA. METAIRIE, La. (AP) _ Joseph Paul Treen, father of former Gov. Dave Treen and inventor of more than 60 devices, including the bicycle kickstand, has died at age 86 following a long illness.

Treen, who died Sunday, served in the Navy during World War I as bugler in John Philip Sousa's 2,300-piece marching band. He blew signals to coordinate the unwieldy band's marches.

Treen later became an inventor, and devised the kickstand. He said he was frustrated with the big motorcycle kickstands of the 1930s, so he developed a more convenient one and eventually adapted it to bicycles.

In 1935, he founded the Simplex Manufacturing Corp., which produced another invention, a lightweight motorcycle called the Servi-Cycle. They were produced through the mid-1950s. The company also made Go Karts.

In addition to his son, the former governor, Treen is survived by his wife, two other sons, seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

©  The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.