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IDSA mourns the loss of Clair Samhammer, FIDSA, an industry leader and cherished friend in the world of industrial design. Clair’s passing on October 15, 2023, at the age of 95 in Mission Viejo, CA marks the end of a
IDSA mourns the passing of Frank M. Grunwald, a luminary in the field of industrial design, who passed away on August 30, 2023, at the age of 90. Frank’s life was a testament to resilience, creativity, and dedication. Born
IDSA mourns the passing of Rudolph W. Krolopp, FIDSA, an esteemed industrial designer and a true pioneer in the field, who passed away on June 23, 2023. Rudolph’s contributions to the industry, his numerous accomplishments, and his dedication to
IDSA mourns the loss of longstanding member, industry leader, and friend, Sean Hägen, who passed away on February 25, 2023. With over 30 years of research and product development across a variety of industries ranging from luxury yachts to
Thomas B. Russell, who devoted many years to the Industrial Designers Society of America at local, regional, and national levels, passed away peacefully on October 3, 2022. Tom began his District service to IDSA in the late 1990s, assisting the Northeast District Vice
The Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) remembers Cooper C. Woodring, FIDSA, former IDSA President, expert witness, and industrial designer who touched countless lives in our community. Woodring served as IDSA President from 1985 to 1986, Executive Vice President in 1984, and
The Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) remembers Dr. Robert I. Blaich, FIDSA, beloved IDSA Fellow and industrial designer for over 60 years whose advocacy for the important role of industrial design in business and around the world inspired us all.  Upon
IDSA is saddened by the loss of J. Budd Steinhilber, FIDSA (1924-2021), a towering figure in industrial design history and a friend, mentor, and inspiration to many. Budd served on IDSA’s Board of Directors as Treasurer/Secretary and served three times on the IDEA Jury. He was
IDSA mourns the loss of Edward J. Zagorski, FIDSA from Cerro Gordo, IL. The author of Get Ten Eagles (2011) and a widely admired industrial design educator, Ed was inducted into IDSA’s Academy of Fellows in 1979 and received the IDSA Education Award in 1989. Ed passed
The Industrial Designers Society of America remembers Dan Quinlan, IDSA, who passed away in late 2020. Dan was a member of the Global Consumer Design family at Whirlpool for 28 years before retiring in July. Donations may be made to IDSA’s Design Foundation in
STYLING DESIGNER AND FORMER IDSA TREASURER HAS PASSED AWAY AT AGE 80. Dec 7 2020 – 12:20pm IDSA is saddened to learn of the passing of Joseph Andrew Papai, Jr. on November 24, 2020 at the age of 80. Joseph
Ralph Caplan, H/IDSA was an inimitable voice in the design world as a writer and educator, and particularly eloquent on design’s role in catalyzing social change. “The designer’s mission is to make things right,” Caplan said in a Design Matters interview in
The Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) mourns the loss of Mark Dziersk, FIDSA, a prominent industrial designer and decades-long supporter, leader, and advocate of our Society. Mark passed away suddenly on January 31, 2020 while traveling abroad in Tokyo.
IDSA is saddened to hear of the passing of Aaron Lown on July 17, 2019. Lown was a prolific designer and co-founder of BUILT NY; a recent adjunct faculty member at the Maryland Insitute College of Art (MICA) in Baltimore; and a beloved friend,
David Smith, L/IDSA, passed away on Feb. 25, 2017 at his home in Columbus, OH, surrounded by his family. He was 84. Colleague and fellow Pratt Institute alum Deane Richardson, FIDSA, was with Smith only a few hours before he passed. “Dave
IDSA Fellow William Plumb has passed away at the age of 84 in Piermont, NY. He is survived by his wife of 43 years Catherine​ Plumb, and children Christian Plumb and Abigail Plumb-Larrick. His daughter also works in design and human factors—in software—at
Former executive vice president of design at Knoll International and decorated US Army veteran Donald Rorke, L/IDSA, passed away on Nov. 4, 2016. He was 86. Rorke was born in 1929 to architect Edwyn Rorke and classical musician Florence Rorke. He attended
An IDSA member for nearly half a century who served as Society president and Board chair, and was inducted into the Academy of Fellows, passed away on Aug. 28, 2016. Jim Ryan, FIDSA, was 79 years old. He joined IDSA in
IDSA Member Craig James Carlson has passed away at the age of 62, after a five-year battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born in in Brooklyn, New York on October 14, 1954. Carlson became an industrial designer and the owner of InDepth Design
The design community mourns the loss of ArtCenter College of Design‘s first chair of its product design program—Martin “Marty” Smith—who also was an IDSA member. He was 67. “An industrial designer and educator with over 35 years of experience
A memorial fund has been set up in honor of IDSA Fellow and historian Carroll Gantz, who passed away on Nov. 18, 2015 at the age of 84. The fund, set up by Gantz’s brother, Vernon, and associates, will help
IDSA Fellow Darrell Staley has passed away from cancer. He was 78 years old. “He was a designer, painter, traveler, writer, innovator who was creative, intelligent, fun, witty, sweet, charming, private and a wonderful friend to so many of us,” former IDSA Executive
The IDSA Life member known as the “Godfather of New Zealand industrial design,” (Alban) Gifford Jackson, has died at the age of 93. The Designers Institute of New Zealand says Jackson’s “gentlemanly manner, professional skills and generous mentorship were