Longtime optical industry veteran Jim Grootegoed died [in Surprise, AZ,] on Jan. 8, 2025, after a brief illness. He was 85 years old.

Jim was well-known and well-respected during his four decades in the optical industry. He was born in Cleveland, OH, and raised in Los Angeles, CA, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University Los Angeles.

His early career began in pharmaceutical hospital sales and sales management for Geigy Pharmaceuticals. In 1977, he moved into optical as the manager of customer service and distribution for Titmus Optical, and then director of sales and marketing for Bausch & Lomb’s optical lab division, where he was involved in divesting the business. From 1981 to 2001, Jim served as general manager and executive vice president for Walman Optical, the industry’s largest independent wholesale lab.

Jim’s numerous accomplishments included developing and marketing of the first fashion safety frames for wholesale labs while at Bausch & Lomb; licensing and managing an internal manufacturing process at Walman to coat the front of PPG’s CR-39 lenses with a hard coat, Tuff-Lens; and developing a program [for eyecare professionals] promoting the product that increased the use of coated CR-39 lenses from less than 2% to over 45% within six months.

Jim was also instrumental in the growth of polycarbonate lenses, including the development of a proprietary injection molding process, tooling, and a joint venture with Vision Ease Company. He also managed the successful launch of Ultra Optics Company, a division of Walman.

Jim was a founding member of both the Polycarbonate Council and the AR Council. After retiring from Walman Optical in 2001, he worked as a consultant for the industry and served as technical editor of Optical Lab Products News for 10 years, providing labs with information useful in running their business.

He was inducted into The Vision Council's Optical Pioneers Hall of Fame in 2015.

Among the friends and former colleagues who offered tributes to Jim was Randy McDonald of The Magnum Group Inc. “Jim described himself as ‘a blue-collar worker in a white-collar job,’” says McDonald. “He was always a champion of the people. He was known for wanting to truly get to know the person, and not what they did. He drove meaningful changes in so many people's lives.”

Dick Bullwinkle, former CEO of DAC Vision and a board member of The Vision Council, says, “There are some guys who are exceptional, in our industry and outside of it. Jim was certainly one of those: smart, caring, a loyal friend, and a great companion."

NASA consultant and former vision care executive Bob Main says, “Jim was a great resource and friend who always wanted to know, ‘How can I help?’ These four words really speaks to his character and professionalism.”

Jim enjoyed golf, bike riding, tasting and collecting wines, and restoring and driving his Austin Healy. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ann, who many knew as his constant travel companion at industry conferences. He is survived by his son, Eric Grootegoed. Funeral services were private. Donations can be made in Jim’s name to his favorite charity, the Animal Protection Society.