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Renn Zaphiropoulos Obituary
Cedar City, Utah
Renn Zaphiro poulos, 87, passed away August 19, 2013, in Cedar City, Utah. He was born September 20, 1925, in Port Said, Egypt, to Leonides and Galatia Michalopoulos Zaphiropoulos. He immigrated to the United States in 1945 at age 19. He married Marie Alice Kaufmann Zaphiropoulos on October 14, 1970, in San Jose, CA. He had two daughters, Eve Brasfield of San Jose, CA, and Gale Grover of Garland, UT.
Renn acquired a BS Degree in Engineering, a MS Degree in Engineering Physics and an Honorary Doctorate of Engineering Physics from Rose Hulman Institute. He has 29 patents. He has received three honorary doctorates and was the author of Entrepreneurial Wisdom. After founding Versatec, Renn built it into a success, and the company was later acquired by Xerox, from which Renn retired after serving as a Corporate Vice President. Not only a mentor and consultant to many young entrepreneurs, Renn also served on the Board of Directors for many high tech companies, as well as on the Board of Trustees of Southern Utah University and the Utah Shakespeare Festival. He was a member of the Saint Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco and a life member of the English Shire Society. He was an adjunct professor at SUU and a member of the Old Main Society. Renn's hobbies and interests included woodworking, painting, photography, music, piano, guitar, singing, sailing, and travel. Both a gourmet chef and "food scout," he was a philosopher, enjoyed English luxury cars and was a true United States patriot.
Renn is survived by his wife, Marie Zaphiropoulos, his two daughters, Eve and Gale, a sister, Melpomeni Cowell of Southern California, and a brother, Miltiades Zaphiropoulos of New York City. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Galatia and Leonides Zaphiropoulos, and a sister Lela Bouhagiar.
Graveside services will be at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, August 21, 2013, at Cedar City Cemetery, 173 West 685 North, Cedar City, Utah. Interment will be at Cedar City Cemetery under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the SUU Zaphiropoulos Scholarship Fund. Online condolences can be sent www.sumortuary.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Renn Zaphiropoulos
James P Leary Jr
January 25, 2018
Oh my gosh, I was just online searching google to refresh my memories of all the cool stuff that Mr Renn did and found that he has left us. My sympathies to all of the family and friends that knew him!!! I met him on a flight to Vegas, sitting in coach :). I thought he may have a couple bucks because he has super cool glasses on. I sparked up a conversation and we talked the whole way to Vegas. He was on his way home from speaking to the CEO;s of the 10 largest companies in the world. Fantastically he told me that the main message that he wished to share with them was "Life is curly, do not try to straighten it out!!!" I have never forgotten that and I have shared the story with just about everybody I meet. My 4 sons all studied Physics because he told me that they should, to tie together all the other sciences, the engine of it all, he said! Mr Renn was kind enough to send me a copy of his book that was not yet complete for MY opinion, a nobody CPA from Minnesota. I still have that book right above my desk and I see it every day. What a blessing to have met him for this very short time, and I will certainly carry him with me always, and smile every time I am able to share the story of out plane ride together and his incredible journey!!!
Mark Pahlow
September 16, 2013
I met and heard Renn speak at several TEC functions in the 1990s. Not a day goes by that I don't use some of his valuable wisdom in managing my business and living my life.
There will not be another like him.
Rit Lyon
August 31, 2013
Renn, on a personal and professional level, is the person I have admired the most during and after my 20 years working at Versatec. He is the essence of the renaissance man.
My sympathy's to Ree and the family.
Rit Lyon
Mike Rehmus
August 31, 2013
My deepest sympathies to the Zaphiropoulos family.
Renn was both the President of a company I joined and a friend. I cannot think of anyone with whom I enjoyed working with more than him.
He was a man of great wisdom, energy and he had a compelling way of always making you the center of his attention.
I will miss him even though we haven't seen each other in over 20 years.
David Downie
August 31, 2013
A delightful man I remember from my days at Versatec Ltd. in England. I had the good fortune to meet him on one or two occasion.It was a privilege to know him. He kindly sent us all a personal gift each Christmas. Bless him and his family.
Bill Freeman
August 26, 2013
Renn was the most amazing man I ever met. We had some common interests like cooking and woodwork. He was always an inspiration to me and never ceased to amaze me with his "steel trap" mind. While you were only beginning to digest the problem, he would be giving you the answer. I am a better man for having known him and will surely miss him. He was one of a kind. Our sincere condolences to his family.
Bill & Cathleen Freeman
Sherry Bennett Hayes
August 25, 2013
My heart goes out to you and your family. His passing is a loss to both family and community. May we continue to honor such a fine man who contributed so much to so many.
Darwin and Mavourneen Lamb
August 24, 2013
Please accept our deepest condolences. Renn was an inspiration to young and old. For instance, we will never forget his speech to the Sterling Scholars of the first Canyon View High School graduation. Progressive!
D Ross and Michele McNaught
August 23, 2013
Our deepest sympathies to Ree, Eve and Gale. We vividly remember the incredible times we spent with Renn and his family. Our thoughts are with you at this time.
Bruce Bennett
August 21, 2013
Renn was one of the most business savvy individuals I've ever met -- I've kept his "Entrepreneurial Wisdom" book close by for many years and tried to live up to its extraordinary ideals. What he accomplished at Versatec was a landmark of innovation that continues to resonate in the marketplace. He was truly an original that could never be duplicated with a legacy that will not soon be forgotton.
Bruce Bennett - Xerox Agent 28 years
Blake LeFevre
August 21, 2013
A great man who did so much for the community. He will be deeply missed.
Scott Burns
August 21, 2013
Renn was an incredible human being that lived an incredible life...if you were lucky enough to ever spend time with him you know what I mean. May God Bless Ree and the entire Zaphiropoulos Family.
Connie/Ted Porray
August 21, 2013
Our deepest sympathies to the entire Zaphiropoulos family on their loss. Renn was such a wonderful, giving person and generous supporter of education and the arts. He will be missed but his legacy will always remain.
Connie/Ted Porray
Guild of USF
Kerrie Jones
August 21, 2013
Years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Renn. He spoke kindly of his family, adventures, hobbies and accomplishments. I never saw him again, but I never forgot him either. My prayers are with his family today.
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