Industry Loses Two Legends: John De Gorter and Ray Rickles

John De Gorter, former president of De Gorter Inc., died this morning in North Carolina. De Gorter, one of the first to recognize the opportunity to sell and service machinery from foreign manufacturers into the United States, helped introduce a number of such glass machinery manufacturers to this country. He built a company that today includes his sons Dan and Peter among others.

Also passing this morning was a man who called on John De Gorter for many years selling advertising in glass industry publications. Ray Rickles, age 90, passed away in Florida, after a brief illness. He founded Ray Rickles and Company, a media representative firm that for many years represented the now-defunct Glass Digest and which has continued to represent USGlass magazine for the past 16 years. Ray is the father of USGlass sales manager Scott Rickles.

At press time, funeral arrangements for both men were incomplete. USGNN.com™ will provide more information as it becomes available.