In memoriam: Larry Kripke

Larry Kripke, founder of aluminum brokerage firm Kripke Enterprises Inc. (KEI), Toledo, Ohio, died this morning at the age of 80 after battling Parkinson's disease.

In an email shared by the company about his death, KEI describes Kripke as “not only a visionary in our industry but also a cherished husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend,” noting his “remarkable kindness, unwavering values and generous spirit” and the “indelible mark” he has left on his family, community, workplace and the industry.

Kripke began working in the recycled metals industry in the mid-1960s at Sherwin Metals in Toledo, where he joined his father, Sherwin, and brothers, Harley and Bobby, in the family’s recycled metals brokerage business. After graduating from the University of Michigan Business School in 1965, Kripke returned to Toledo and the family business. Under his leadership, Sherwin Metals merged with Tuschman Steel in 1976, forming Kripke-Tuschman Industries, with Kripke spearheading nonferrous operations.

Kripke-Tuschman merged with OmniSource Corp. in 1983, and Kripke eventually led the Ohio nonferrous trading group. He managed a secondary smelter, a copper granulating line, a hedging operation and numerous aluminum and copper operations before founding KEI in 1993, where his legacy of innovation and integrity continues, the company says.

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His son, Matt Kripke, CEO of KEI, previously told Recycling Today one of the best lessons he learned from his father is that people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. He credited his father's success as an entrepreneur and leader to this philosophy, adding that he loved his employees like family and treated them all with respect.

KEI says Kripke’s positive impact on those around him and his contributions to the industry will be remembered and cherished. “As we mourn the loss of a true pioneer, we also celebrate the incredible life and achievements of Larry Kripke. His spirit will forever be the foundation of our company, guiding us as we continue to honor his legacy in all that we do,” the company adds.

Services will be Sunday, Feb. 18, starting at 12:30 p.m. at Congregation B'Nai Israel, 6525 W. Sylvania Ave., Sylvania, Ohio, 43560.