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Robert E. Lapides, 1918-2001
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Business New Haven
1/7/2002
By: BNH
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Robert E. Lapides, chairman of the United Aluminum Corp., one of the state's oldest private corporations, died on December 21 at Yale-New Haven Hospital. A devoted New Havener, Yale alumnus and World War II U.S. Navy commander, Lapides was 83.
Lapides was born and raised in New Haven and was graduated from Yale University, Class of '39S with an engineering degree and an ensign's commission in the U.S. Naval Reserve. After being called to active duty, he became at age 25, one of the youngest commanding officers of a fleet destroyer (the U.S.S. Dahlgren) in 1943, followed by command of the U.S.S. Niblack in 1945. The Niblack was part of the American armada preparing to invade Japan, and he was one of the first ashore to witness the destruction of Hiroshima following the atomic bombing of August 6, 1945.
Upon release from active duty in 1946, Lapides returned to the United Smelting & Aluminum Co., the New Haven firm founded by his grandfather in 1891, where he was elected president in 1957. The company specialized in precision cold rolling of aluminum coil serving markets worldwide. In 1968 he relocated the firm to North Haven and in 1989 assumed the role of chairman, working daily until shortly before his death. It continues today as the United Aluminum Corp., the second oldest aluminum roller in America.
Lapides was a vigorous and effective participant in the affairs of his community. He was president of the board of trustees of the Hopkins School and chairman of the North Haven Police Commission. He served as a director of Yale-New Haven Hospital, the St. Raphael's Foundation, First Bank of New Haven, New Haven Savings Bank, Congregation Mishkan Israel and the New Haven Boy's Club. In 1996 Lapides was honored with a Hall of Fame Award from Junior Achievement; in 1998, both a Founders Award from Business New Haven and a Lifetime Achievement award from the Aluminum Association. Most recently he was an associate fellow at Yale's Branford College and treasurer of his Yale Class.
Lapides is survived by his wife of 54 years, Ruth R. Lapides, and three children: John S. Lapides of New Haven, James A. Lapides of Brookline, Mass. and Susan J. Lapides of Cambridge, Mass., a sister, Joan L. Wingate, of Branford, and four grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Ruth & Robert Lapides Scholarship at the Hopkins School or the Ruth & Robert Lapides Scholarship at the Yale Club of New Haven, or to the charity of your choice.
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