Passings: Dr. Henry M. Rothberg
Dr. Henry M. Rothberg, 91, founder and chairman emeritus of LATICRETE International Inc., on March 17 in Manalapan, Fla.
Dr. Rothberg started LATICRETE International Inc. in 1956 with his wife Lillian, who worked as bookkeeper for the fledgling organization. He successfully ran the organization until 2001 when he became Chairman Emeritus, ceding leadership to sons Henry and David.
“We are all deeply saddened by the loss of our father and founder,” said David Rothberg, LATICRETE co-chairman and CEO. “He was not only our wonderful dad, but also a trailblazing innovator for our industry and an inspiring leader for the employees and associates of LATICRETE worldwide.”
Born on June 1, 1922, in Derby, Conn., Dr. Rothberg attened the University of South Carolina, receiving a BS degree in Chemical Engineering, and later an honorary Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering. In addition, he was a graduate of the Executive Education program at Harvard Business School.
While working as a young man in his family’s South Carolina floor covering installation business, Dr. Rothberg realized that there must be a better way to install ceramic tile. Dr. Rothberg began investigating how synthetic latex technologies could be applied to the concrete industry, and moved his family to Connecticut to work closely with one the leading firms in synthetic rubber manufacturing, the U.S. Rubber Company (Uniroyal) of Naugatuck.
After much effort and time – LATICRETE® 4237 Latex Thin-Set Additive was developed and taken to market. For the first time a strong, weather- and shock-resistant “thin-bed” mortar could be mixed on-site using equal parts of sand and cement – replacing thick, heavy and labor-intensive mortar-bed installations. The new material created by Dr. Rothberg was brought to the market as “LATICRETE,” and as awareness and acceptance of this problem-solving technology increased ceramic tile and stone became much more common choices for flooring and facade installations.
Many other innovations in products, services and marketing followed, and LATICRETE became a global company with more than 1,500 employees in 35
manufacturing locations supplying products to construction projects in over 112 countries..
“His innovations and impact on the tile, stone and concrete industries are still felt today,” said Henry Rothberg, senior vice president/training. “His developments have left us an incredible legacy and have changed the course of an entire industry by revolutionizing tile and stone installation techniques”.
Among the many honorary awards presented to Dr. Rothberg are the Carl V. Cesery Award (Tile Contractors Association of America), the Joe A. Tarver Award for Lifetime Service to the Tile Industry (National Tile Contractors Association) and induction to the Ceramic Tile Distributors Association (CTDA) Hall of Fame.
“For the many long-time employees of LATICRETE, Dr. Rothberg personified the principles that continue to guide our family-owned business to this day” said EdMetcalf, president, North America Division. “Dr. Rothberg always stressed doing the right thing, keeping in mind the long–term value of every relationship, whether with a distributor, contracting firm, employee or vendor. Dr. Rothberg was a generous mentor and true role model, and he will be greatly missed”.
Dr. Rothberg married Lillian Rosenstock of New Haven, Conn., in 1946. He survived by her and their children – Irene, Henry B., Deborah, Celia, Jonathan, Michael and David – as well as 19 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Despite global recognition and success, the greatest gratification for him and his wife was the involvement of second- and third-generation family members in the business. He was mentor to many, including his two sons who presently own and operate Laticrete International.
He was known for his love and knowledge of fresh fruit; wherever he lived, he always planted fruit trees for the next generation to enjoy.
Funeral services will be held at Congregation B’nai Jacob, 75 Rimmon Road, Woodbridge, Conn. on March 19 at 1 p.m., with internment services following at B’nai Jacob Memorial Park, 200 Wintergreen Ave., in New Haven, Conn.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: The University of South Carolina Department of Chemical Engineering, 301 Main St., Columbia, SC 29208, or The American Technion Society (ATS), 55 E. 59th St., New York, NY 10022.
An online memorial in remembrance of Dr. Rothberg has been established at http://www.laticrete.com/in_memoriam.aspx should you like to leave your condolences.
