Obituary: Lou Kapernaros

Lou Kapernaros, 90, of Longboat Key, died June 16.

Born Jan. 10, 1924, in Lowell, Mass., Mr. Kapernaros was a private first class in the U.S. Army during World War II and served as a medic in the European theater.

Mr. Kapernaros attended the Missouri School of Mines in Rolla, Mo., and received a bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering. He later worked at several companies in the metalworking industry.

In 1960, Mr. Kapernaros got the opportunity to join an effort at General Electric to commercialize its recent invention of manmade industrial diamonds. He started as an application engineer, eventually becoming general manager in 1972 until his retirement in 1986.

After his retirement, Mr. Kapernaros continued to be active in the industry. He became an honorary life member of the Industrial Diamond Association of America and received an honorary Doctor of Engineering degree from his college alma mater.

Mr. Kapernaros was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Dolores.

He is survived by his daughter, Nan; son, Charles; sister, Anastasia Garner; and two granddaughters.
A visitation took place June 21, in Sarasota.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to redtail.org or woundedwarriorproject.org, or the charity of one’s own choosing.