Former President of Kenwood Joe Richter passed away early Saturday morning, following a long fight against various respiratory illness, said the Consumer Technology Association CTA).
For many years, Richter ran the home audio/video side of Kenwood while Dan Petersen ran the car audio side. Under Richter’s management, Kenwood expanded into large big box retailers as well as into home audio specialists with the specialty Sovereign line.
After Petersen left Kenwood, Richter become the first and only non-Japanese President of Kenwood USA.
In total, Richter served at Kenwood for 21 years. He then joined Akai USA as President and CEO.
Richter was a a former CTA Board Member. CTA CEO Gary Shapiro said, “We are saddened to learn of the passing of Joe Richter. Joe was a great supporter of our association and a passionate advocate for audio technology. Joe helped lead the consumer technology industry into the digital audio era, championing a quality audio experience while promoting the many benefits of digital. Joe also was a true gentleman and strong leader, always ready with a smile, a hearty laugh and a desire to find compromise among competing voices. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.”
Really sad to hear. Joe was a class act, cared about the 12V business and was a pleasure to be around. RIP Joe.
Condolences out to Joe’s family and friends… I served as Sales Planner for Kenwood’s Military Sales Group under his watch – He was an upbeat leader with a passion for “Doing the Right Thing!”
~ Ed Allum
Joe was a kind and caring individual with a passion for the 12 volt industry and the people in it. He will be sorely missed. I had worked with Joe in a variety of positions over his long career and always enjoyed talking with him and getting his opinion on what was happening in and around our business. I know that he had been fighting a variety of illnesses for some time. I had always thought of him as one of the truly “good ones”. God Bless.