Industry Analyst and Consultant Bill Lamparter Has Died

Monday, March 13, 2017

Press release from the issuing company

William C. Lamparter died on March 8, 2017. He was born in Brooklyn, NY, on July 13, 1929 to the late William C. Lamparter, Sr. and Nadine Lamparter. He grew up on Long Island, NY, received a Bachelor in Science degree in Science and Education from Springfield College (Massachusetts) and a Master in Journalism from Boston University.

Mr. Lamparter was the President and Principal of the PrintCom Consulting Group headquartered in Charlotte. He was recognized worldwide as a printing and publishing industry analyst and consultant with a reputation as a practical futurist and a track record of correct early identification of technical and market trends.

Mr. Lamparter was an industry veteran who held printing production positions and operated printing plants for General Electric; conducted pioneering research and participated in the development of new imaging technology (including Xerography) at the Battelle Research Institute in Columbus, OH; served in senior management positions with the Graphic Systems Division of Rockwell International; commercialized ink jet imaging technology for a division of the Mead Corporation which is now Kodak Digital Printing Solutions; served as chief staff executive and president of the National Association of Printing Leadership and spent the past 35 years as an industry analyst and consultant with a worldwide clientele.

He was active in many printing industry associations including the Printing Industries of the Carolinas where he served on the Associates Committee. He was published widely in the worldwide graphic arts trade press and is listed in Who's Who in America. Mr. Lamparter was the recipient of numerous printing industry awards and was known internationally as an author and lecturer on the graphic arts. Mr. Lamparter is the originator of the Must See ‘ems technology and product recognition program, which he conducted annually for the Graphic Arts Show Company from 1999 through 2011 as a part of the Print and Graph Expo trade shows.

Mr. Lamparter is survived by his wife of 61 years, Ann Martyn Lamparter, daughter Ellen and her husband Philip Everett, daughter Susan, son David and his wife Sharon, granddaughter Heather and her husband, David Collins, and grandson Nicholas.

A private burial service will be held in the Providence Presbyterian Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mr. Lamparter’s name to Hospice and Palliative Care, Charlotte Region, or Collie Rescue of the Carolinas (www.collierescue.net).

Discussion

By Andrew Tribute on Mar 13, 2017

Bill was a good friend and a lovely character. I had the privilege to work with him, share speaking platforms, and spend much time with him and Ann at shows and events around the world. He was a man of great knowledge and had a significant influence on the way our industry progressed and succeeded in its move into the digital space. I have not seen him for the past few years since I retired but will retain my fond memories and respect of him.

By David L. Zwang on Mar 13, 2017

While it has been a while since I have seen Bill, he had an engaging mind, and was always ready for a good discussion. He will be missed...

By Joe Webb on Mar 13, 2017

I, too, had those challenging discussions with Bill. You could tell the wheels were turning as he listened. He often took the devil's advocate side to see if there was anything there worth exploring.

My funniest encounter was the one I mentioned in my column of 3/13/2017: I remember stopping him at the 2001 Seybold or some such show, calling out to him “you liar, you liar!” He stopped and said “what do you mean?” I explained “at the 1997 Seybold you told me you were retiring in 2000… and you didn’t… you lied!” He grinned and said “not you, too!” I knew what that meant. His devoted wife, Ann, had been bugging him, too.

He had his ways of working and I had mine, but we came to know each others work and would touch base now and then as a sounding board or a reality check for our thoughts. We'd sometimes disagree but we would know why and how, and that was always interesting.

Thoughts and prayers to his always devoted companion, Ann, wife of 61 years, and his family.

By Chris Bondy on Mar 13, 2017

Sad to learn of Bill's passing- Bill was a true life-long industry advocate, and gentleman! ... Not many like Bill, he had a unique way of bringing the industries attention to relevant topics, both in his research and as the originator of the "must see 'ems" which are now a part of our expected experience at Graph Expo and "Print" trade events ... He will be missed!

Heartfelt condolences to Bill's family.

Chris Bondy
Frank E. Gannett Distinguished Professor
School of Media Sciences
Rochester Institute of Technology

By Chris Echevarria on Mar 13, 2017

I remember when I was young in my career and new to GAMIS how Bill went out of his way to get to know me. He always had a warm smile and something good to say, even when the studies and reports weren’t going well from either side.
He will be remembered as one who helped move the industry forward and as one who challenged all of us.
May he rest in peace.

Discussion

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