Longtime plastics engineer and researcher Vivian Malpass, who worked with Borg-Warner, Rohm & Haas and Plasticolors before launching a consulting firm, died at age 87 on Feb. 19.
Malpass was born in Wales in 1936. He earned a Ph.D. in chemistry from Aberystwyth University and began his career as a research chemist at Midland Silicones Ltd. in South Wales in 1960.
In 1964, Malpass moved to the U.S. for a senior chemist position with Borg-Warner Chemicals in West Virginia. He would remain with Borg-Warner for 18 years and later hold positions at Rohm & Haas, Ferro, Furon and Plasticolors before opening Tek-Mark International in Hudson, Ohio, in 1996.
Malpass was an active member of the Society of Plastics Engineers for more than 50 years. He joined SPE in the late 1960s and held many positions with the organization, including serving as president of SPE International in 1989. He also was Akron Section president, a member of the Education Foundation Committee, chairman of TPE TopCon and was a member of the Plastics Pioneers Association.
Robert Eller, owner of the Robert Eller Associates consulting firm in Akron, Ohio, said in an email that Malpass was an early mentor to him in his career.
"We collaborated on several projects and I could always count on him for a patient, thoughtful comment on my analysis," Eller added. "In some cases, my company was hired to advise on strategy, technology or acquisitions only to find to my joy that Viv was also on the team and we could collaborate again.
"He will be missed by me and others in the plastics/compounding community," he said.
An obituary in the Akron Beacon Journal said that, beyond his professional pursuits, Malpass was "a devoted family man [who] ensured that his family learned about their Welsh heritage through frequent visits to friends and family in Swansea."
It added that family camping trips to Myrtle Beach, S.C., and vacations with SPE "were also part of their shared adventures." Malpass and his wife Dorothy enjoyed tennis, gardening, and music and their annual Christmas parties became a favorite tradition, where Malpass led sing-alongs with his piano and accordion.
Malpass’ wife Dorothy died a day after Vivian, on Feb. 20. They are survived by children Sharon Meckes, David (Amy) Malpass, and Kevin (Christina) Malpass and several grandchildren.
Memorial contributions can be made in Malpass' name to the Akron SPE Education Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 355, Mogadore OH 44260.