Dr. Danny Clark Rich, 71, well respected color science and standards expert within the flexographic package printing and converting community and a familiar face to countless FTA members, was killed in an auto accident Fri., July 1 in Crittenden County, AR.
Danny contributed to many projects in FFTA’s Flexo Quality Consortium (FQC) program, CGATS, the US TAG to ISO/TC 130 Graphic Technology, TC 42 Photography, CIE and the ICC. The wisdom and insight he brought to any discussion were truly unique. The entire flexographic community will not forget his contributions to standards and the greater graphic arts industry.
In presenting Danny with the FTA President’s Award in 2019, Mark Cisternino expressed similar thoughts: “An integral part of FQC and one of the earliest supporters and founding member of the Standards Working Group (SWG), Danny stepped up to lead the team when needed. …He joined the FQC Executive Committee—a natural fit given his insight, knowledge and participation within the standards organizations that directly touch the continued work of the FQC and often lead its project subject matter.”
In summarizing Danny’s contributions, FTA’s president further recalled, “Hall of Fame member and fellow standards expert Steve Smiley stated very simply that, ‘Danny is one of the smartest people I know. He’s my go-to guy in the world of color.’ Coming from Steve, that’s really a powerful endorsement! An ongoing contributor to FLEXO Magazine on the progress of the SWG and its impact on the flexo industry, Danny published an outstanding article in the April 2019 issue titled, ‘The Lengthy, Specific & Complicated Process to Codify an International Standard.’ In opening the article, he stated that developing standards ‘may seem like wizardry or perhaps something darker,’ but, in reality, simply takes a great deal of expertise, commitment and patience, all three qualities embodied by Danny as a recognized industry leader in the very important area of color measurement for graphic reproduction. Your commitment is inspiring and very much appreciated, Danny!”
Rich began his career in 1980 with Sherwin Williams Paint Co, where he directed work on optical properties of coatings, process control, computer modeling and statistical experimental design. He later joined Applied Color Systems in Princeton, NJ, where he researched color simulation, soft proofing, instrument design, and optical metrology and calibration. In 1998, Rich joined Sun Chemical Corp and was the director of the Color Research Laboratory in the Daniel J. Carlick Technical Center in Carlstadt, NJ. He retired from Sun Chemical in August 2021 and established a color/standards consultant practice.
Danny holds 15 US patents, 11 world patents and has 21 applications that are awaiting approval. In addition to FTA’s President’s Award, Danny was awarded the Nickerson Service award from the Inter-Society Color Council in 1999, the National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers award for Technical Achievement in 2008, the Thomas Alva Edison award for innovation by the Research Council of New Jersey in 2008, the Robert F. Reed Medal from the Printing Industries of America in 2013, the Mattiello Memorial Award from the American Coatings Association in 2015, and the Godlove Award for lifetime achievements in color technology from the Inter-Society Color Council in 2019.
He received his B.S. in physics from the University of Idaho, M.S. in optical physics from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and Ph.D. in color science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
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