Younger Optics Founder Irving Rips, passes on at 79
(TORRANCE, CA — July 2007) Irving Rips, founder of Younger Optics, passed away Monday morning, July 30th. Irving was born on November 1st 1927 in Omaha, Nebraska. He attended Creighton University where he studied philosophy. Irving got started in the optical industry at a very early age by fusing glass bifocals in his uncle’s factory.

In 1954, Irving had a better idea; He wanted to design a bifocal without the line. Months of hard work in his garage yielded the world’s first seamless bifocal. This lens made people look “Younger”. Younger Optics was formed in 1955 to make the lens that set the stage for many innovations to follow. Irving continued to invent a series of new products that the industry had not seen before. Early aspherics, progressives, high index, UV lenses, and other unique plastic lens products all resulted from Irving’s extraordinary creativity and determination. In recognition of Irving’s contributions to the optical industry he was awarded the OLA lifetime achievement award in 1992.

As Younger Optics has grown from those early years into a very successful corporation, Irving continued to innovate and help the staff wherever he could. His life was filled with the quest for knowledge. He collected rare books, read everything he could, and applied the knowledge in unpredictable ways. Irving set a standard for innovation and determination that will live on at Younger.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Grace (Bebe) Rips and three children, Ted, David, and Debby, and 8 grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at Mount Sinai Cemetery 5950 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles on Wednesday, August 1st at 11:00am.