Former CRI president dies

SALT LAKE CITY — Ron Van Gelderen, who lead the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) from 1980 to 2000 as president and COO, died at age 80 Friday, February 19, according to Floor Daily.

In June 2000, after the appointment of Werner Braun, Van Gelderen stepped down from his position at CRI after 20 years. During his time with CRI, Floor Daily said, Van Geleren “often worked to absolve conflict by bringing people together in the interest of finding middle ground.”

Following his time with CRI, Van Gelderen served as the first president of the Synthetic Turf Council from 2003 to 2006.

Van Gelderen died of complications related to advanced Parkinson’s disease, and donated his body to science to aid in research for a cure to the disease.

See the original report from Floor Daily by clicking here.