March 2004              return to the newsletter contents page

In Memoriam - Rich Harper,

Safety Marketing Group

Richard “Rich” Harper, 60, President and Chief Executive Officer of Safety Marketing Group, died Saturday, March 6 at home. He had been diagnosed with inoperable liver cancer in mid-January.

Rich was born in Havana, Cuba and moved to the United States in July 1960 with his family. He moved to Ormond Beach, Florida eight years ago from St. Petersburg. He had previously resided in Louisville, Kentucky and worked in the safety equipment industry for many years. He joined Safety Marketing Group in February 1996. He was the president of SEDA from 1992-93 while working at Orr Safety Corporation. He was also Executive Director of SEDA prior to becoming president of SEDA. Rich and his wife Linda attended many SEDA annual conferences as a representative of Safety Marketing Group and they will be greatly missed.

He enjoyed traveling, golf and motorcycles, but he mostly enjoyed his family to whom he was very devoted. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Linda; his son, Thomas R. Harper and daughter-in-law, Karen of Louisville; his daughter, Stacie Harper Lindell and son-in-law James, Kansas City, MO; his three grandchildren, Matthew and Chase Harper and Madeline Lindell.

Memorial donations may be made in Rich’s memory to the Tomoka Christian Church Building Fund, 1151 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach, FL 32174.