COLMAR, Pa. — Dorman Products today announced with great sadness that Richard N. Berman, its chairman of the board and CEO, has passed away. Berman was 54 years old. The company mourns this loss and celebrates his legacy.
The company previously announced that Berman was receiving medical treatment for an illness and would not be available to provide full-time service the company. Berman had been the company’s chairman and CEO since 1978, and his vision was the guiding force behind the company’s performance.
Speaking on behalf of the board of directors, Paul Lederer said, "It is with deep sorrow that we announce Richard’s passing. Richard was a well-respected leader at the company and defined its strategic path for more than three decades. He was a dear friend and colleague to the extended Dorman family, but above all, Richard was a dedicated family man. We extend our deepest sympathies and prayers to Richard’s wife, Sharyn, their children and the entire Berman family.
"Richard was a truly unique person who helped build an extraordinary company. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him," said Lederer. "One of his greatest strengths was his strategic thinking and his aptitude for building an effective management team. I am confident that the Dorman team’s performance will continue as a result of Richard’s dedication to the company’s success. I firmly believe in our team and know they will continue to build upon Richard’s legacy."
COO Steven Berman, Richard Berman’s brother, said, "We are all deeply saddened by the death of my brother, partner and best friend. As a person, Richard was humble and unassuming; as the company’s steward, he created a culture of contribution in which hard work and collaboration comes naturally. There is an incredible vitality in our company that is directly attributable to Richard’s leadership. He inspired all of us with the courage and dignity that he demonstrated every day in living with his illness."
Dorman’s board of directors remains confident that despite Berman’s untimely death his responsibilities will be carried out effectively by existing management. Steven Berman will assume the role of CEO and chairman of the board. Steven has been with the company since 1978 and has served in a variety of roles including executive vice president, secretary and treasurer.
