Albert M. Lapides | 1927-2015
Albert M. Lapides, the pioneer who led the way for the health care equipment service industry to open its doors to an alternate source for replacement parts, died on June 14, 2015, at the age of 87. His foresight in reverse engineering aftermarket parts positively changed the course of servicing and repairing health care equipment forever.
More than 43 years ago, Lapides co-founded Replacement Parts Industries Inc. (RPI) with his wife, Sherry, and two other partners after finding that there was a tremendous need for making quality repair parts available as fast as an overnight delivery to biomedical technicians and service companies.
Coming from a background as a mechanical engineer in the aerospace industry, Lapides brought a strong engineering focus to RPI. It was his sincere respect for his customers and steady drive for quality that made RPI the leader in medical, dental and hospital replacement parts.
Throughout his career as president of RPI, Lapides believed in the strength and power of the health care biomedical and service associations. He encouraged both new and seasoned service technicians to never stop learning, and to stay in touch with the industry through its publications and resources.
When Lapides decided to semi-retire from RPI in 1999, he was proud to “pass the baton” to his son Ira who is still president and CEO of RPI. Albert Lapides remained with RPI as CEO Emeritus and Chairman of the Board until the day he passed away. And his self-named column in the RPI newsletter was titled with much amusement “From the Old Curmudgeon – Still.”
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be sent to any of the following:
• Northridge Hospital, Leavey Cancer Center – 18300 Roscoe Blvd, Northridge, CA 91328. (818) 885-8500
• Lapides Family Endowment for Children’s Programming at CSUN Valley Performing Arts Center – 18111 Nordhoff St, Northridge, CA 91330. (818) 677-8800
• Temple Ramat Zion Religious School Scholarship Endowment – 17655 Devonshire St, Northridge, CA 91325. (818) 360-1881