In Memoriam: Kevin Minissian

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It is with immense sadness that we share the sudden and unexpected passing of Kevin Minissian.

On November 23, 2021, he was fatally shot by a gunman during a neighborhood crime spree. As we process this tragic news individually and as a community, we wish to honor the significant contributions Kevin has made as an industry pioneer, respected leader, dear friend, and loving husband and father.

For over four decades, Kevin dedicated himself to developing innovative chemistry solutions and advanced water systems for the textile services industry. Kevin’s commitment to excellence paired with his passion to serve his customers enabled him to acquire tremendous respect and positive influence amongst his customers and colleagues, many of whom have become dear friends. As Founder and CEO of Norchem Corporation, Kevin’s inventive genius helped shape the industry by offering state-of-the-art solutions for the betterment of the environment, including wastewater reclamation, green chemistry, automated dosing systems, and other process technologies focused on sustainability. As an industry thought leader, he was an active member of TRSA, CSC, ITRA, ALM, WTSA, NELA, TCATA, and served as a council member of the Los Angeles Sanitation Districts’ Advisory Council. 

Kevin’s expertise in electrical engineering and biochemistry paired with his innovative nature enabled him to explore “what’s possible” when troubleshooting operational challenges and pragmatically applying advanced solutions to achieve sustainable and scalable outcomes. When he was not serving customers, Kevin could be found enthusiastically and tirelessly working in the lab to simplify the laundry cleaning process for greater efficiency. 

He will be incredibly missed and never forgotten, as he left an indelible impact with all those he knew and encountered. He is survived by his beloved wife, four children, siblings, and nieces and nephews. His legacy will be carried out by his family and steadfast team of dedicated, loyal members of Norchem. Announcements will follow of plans for a memorial service and for donations for those who wish to attend and/or participate. Please keep Kevin’s family in your prayers during this most difficult time.