Composites eNews Publisher Steve Loud Dies, 65

Composites industry chronicler and advanced materials advocate Steve Loud, 65, of Solana Beach, Calif., died July 21, in Scripps Memorial Hospital, La Jolla. The cause of his death was the acute and incurable form of lung disease known as usual interstitial pneumonitis (UIP), which doctors diagnosed in early July, according to his wife, Susan.

Steve was born Stewart Loud in Detroit, Mich., Sept. 13, 1940. After he graduated from the University of Michigan with a business major, he spent more than 40 years in the polymer matrix composites industry, including 17 years in a variety of management and marketing positions with Owens Corning of Toledo, Ohio.

He and Susan lived in Solana Beach, Calif., for 24 years. In 1993, they established a business based on his knowledge of the industry, its issues and its players. Composites Worldwide Inc. and its Composites News International division published newsletters including the print Advanced Materials & Composites News and the online Composites eNews. Also, Steve provided consulting services and dispensed industry intelligence through seminars and other forums.

The Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering of Covina, Calif., recognized Steve as a SAMPE fellow in 2002. It is no exaggeration to say he was widely respected and admired throughout the industry.

No services are planned.

Messages of condolence may be sent to: condolences@compositesnews.com