In Memoriam
Dr. Josef C. Lapp

 Dr. J. C. Lapp, Senior Development Associate with Corning Incorporated and one of the glass industry's leading researchers, died April 26, 2007 after a long battle with cancer at the age of 50.

As the co-inventor of Corning's 1737 and EAGLE^{2000 ®} compositions, J. C. played a considerable role in furthering the progress of the burgeoning flat-panel-display industry. Corning 1737 glass established new industry-wide standards for substrate thickness, density, and weight, and EAGLE²⁰⁰⁰ furthered that trend, delivering the properties needed for desktop and notebook-PC applications.

Throughout his 21-year career at Corning, J. C. was engaged in every stage of the innovation process. As one of the scientists involved with the launch of Corning's environmentally friendly composition, EAGLE XG^™, J. C. spent much of his time with customers, translating their technical demands into product requirements.

In addition to his role as a researcher, J. C. was a frequent spokesman for Corning's Display Technologies business. His enthusiasm for science and ability to engage audiences at all levels helped bring the LCD story to life in the public eye. Over his career, he earned more than 20 patents and authored and co-authored dozens of external technical publications.

J. C. was also a dedicated member of the Society for Information Display. He devoted a great deal of time and energy to this organization, helping with the Symposium program in the areas of materials and manufacturing for many years, and, most recently, co-coordinating and organizing the Exhibitors Forum. J. C. served as Chair and Co-Chair of many technical sessions at SID Symposia over the years. In addition, J. C. was involved in local Chapters of the Society for Applied Spectroscopy and the American Chemical Society.

J. C. was well-known throughout the display community for his soft-spoken, gentle nature and his love of the outdoors, as exhibited by his commitment to running the family farm in rural Central New York. J. C. held an undergraduate degree from the University of Rochester, as well as an M.S. degree in glass science and a Ph.D. in ceramics from New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University.

He is survived by his wife, Connie, an employee at Steuben, and his parents, Dr. and Mrs. Milton Lapp.

As one of the luminaries of the glass industry, a brilliant scientist, and a good friend, J. C. will be greatly missed. We at SID would like to offer our condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues, and assure them that he will always be remembered.