Phil Heinrich, the vice president of Photonic Products Group Inc. (PPGI) and the founder of Laser Optics, died suddenly on Monday, PPGI announced today in a statement.

Dan Lehrfeld, PPGI president and CEO said in the statement, "Speaking for the rest of the leadership team, our employees and board, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Phil's wife, Jacqueline, and their family. Phil's positive attitude, patient mentoring style, technical and interpersonal insights, and grace under pressure were his hallmarks. He was a wonderful, caring, ethical human being. He will be missed."

Heinrich formed Laser Optics in Bethel, Conn., in 1966 as a business specializing in precision custom optical components, infrared optical components and specialty thin-film coatings and reticles. PPGI acquired the company in December 2003, and its entire work force was consolidated into PPGI's Inrad custom optics and thin-film services business in 2004. It does business as Laser Optics, a PPGI company.

http://laseropticsinc.com or http://ppgrpinc.com