Dr. Danny Rich, 71, a leading expert in the field of color science at Sun Chemical, passed away July 3, 2022 after sustaining significant injuries as a result of a car accident in Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
Danny holds 20 patents and 21 applications that are awaiting approval. His industry awards were many: Danny was awarded the Nickerson Service award from the Inter-Society Color Council in 1999; the National Printing Ink Research Institute’s Award for Technical Achievement in 2008; the Thomas Alva Edison Award for Innovation by the Research Council of New Jersey in 2008; the Robert F. Reed Medal from the Printing Industries of America in 2013; the Mattiello Memorial Award from the American Coatings Association in 2015; the Godlove Award for lifetime achievements in color technology from the Inter-Society Color Council in 2019; and the President's Award from the Flexographic Technical Association in 2019.
He served in leadership positions at the CIE (International Commission on Illumination), ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials), ISCC (Inter-Society Color Council)
and chaired several ISO Standards Committees.
Don Hutcheson, President of Hutch Color and US delegate in TC 130:
“Danny Rich was the smartest, most knowledgeable color scientist I ever met, yet humble as the day is long.
He was a vital resource to the many committees on which he served, and presented his encyclopedic knowledge freely and with just the right combination of simplicity and detail, according to his audience.
His many contributions directly "enriched" the world-wide quality of printing, photography, lighting, cinema and related technologies.
As a person, he was generous, kind, graceful and funny and never said a bad word about anyone.
He was respected by everyone who knew him, and genuinely loved by not a few.
Danny's passing is a huge loss to the graphic arts and associated industries, and a huge loss to those of us fortunate to have called him friend.
My deepest condolences to his family. Be comforted that he will be sorely missed not only by you, but also by hundreds of his peers.”
Paul Lindström, Convenor of ISO TC 130 Task Force 3 ”Communications”, representing the Swedish Printing Federation:
“Danny was always willing to help in many ways in the different worksgroups in ISO TC 130. When I struggled to gain interest amongst colleagues in developing a standard regarding the use of white ink he supported me wholeheartedly. Not only that – when the formula to calculate the opacity of the ink where found to not give precise enough results he developed a much enhanced formula which did the job. He is sorely missed by me and my colleagues in TC 130.”
Craig Revie, Head of the UK Delegation of ISO TC 130:
"Danny was an unassuming expert in his field, and I appreciated his answering of my sometimes very basic questions with a completeness and precision that was always helpful. He was also a good dinner companion."
Danny is survived by his wife of 46 years, Phyllis; his daughter Amanda; sons Brandon and Bryan; and his twin brother David.
The ICC (International Color Consortium) has set up the ”Memorial Scholarship Fund” in Danny Rich’s name. See the link Danny Rich Memorial Scholarship Fund on their web site.