Lamson Rheinfrank, Jr.

Lamson Rheinfrank, Jr., always known as Choppy, died Sunday, April 27, 2025, in Concord, Massachusetts, at age 84. For all those who knew him, Choppy was a bright light—kind, joyful, generous, and intellectually curious. He thrived on social interaction and radiated an optimistic outlook throughout his life. A true family man, a loyal friend, and a creative and successful entrepreneur, he charmed all he encountered with infectious humor and spirit.

Choppy was born in Toledo, Ohio, on August 5, 1940, the son of the late Lamson and Lydia Spitzer Rheinfrank of Eagle Point Colony, Rossford, Ohio. He grew up skating and sailing on the Maumee River, graduated from Maumee Valley Country Day School in 1958, and from Williams College in 1962, where he majored in Political Economics and played on the varsity football team as a linebacker and right guard. While at Williams, Choppy was set up on a blind date by his sister with a first-year Vassar student, Sally Breese Lyman. On June 15, 1963, after legendary road trips and adventures between the Purple Mountains and Hudson Valley, Choppy and Sally married in Wellesley, Massachusetts, embarking on a 62-year partnership.

Choppy began his business career selling Nelson Stud Welding products in the Midwest while also serving in the Coast Guard Reserves. Coming of age during the launch of the Interstate Highway System and seeing opportunity, he founded Standard Havens Inc. in 1967 in Kansas City, Missouri. The company manufactured asphalt road-making equipment, went public, and was acquired by Raytheon in the late 1980s. Inspired by the Clean Air Act of 1970, Choppy started an air pollution control equipment division within Standard Havens called BHA Group, Inc. (BHA), which was eventually spun off and later taken public. He grew BHA into a global manufacturer and supplier of parts and services to capture industrial particulate pollution. One of the company’s innovative solutions—a waterproof and breathable membrane brand-named eVENT—enabled expansion into new markets and remains a clothing industry standard today. BHA was sold to General Electric in 2004, and Choppy retired with Sally to Captiva Island, Florida.

Choppy was an imaginative, futuristic thinker and a voracious reader. He particularly enjoyed sweeping studies of sociological history and devoured economic analysis, science fiction, and biographies. He had many theories—often questioned by friends and family, sparking spirited debate!—which led him to such hobbies as juicing gallons of carrots and beets long before juicing became trendy. He was always ahead of the curve and an early technology adopter in both his personal and professional life.

Choppy deeply valued family and friends and celebrated the energy and spirit of younger generations. He engaged people in conversations about their lives and perspectives and drew out even the most reluctant participants. Always one for action, he was unrivaled in his ability to get a party rolling. He loved to dance—especially to Elvis and Chuck Berry—and was a favorite dance partner. He enjoyed music of all kinds, from jazz to country to chamber music (and even the songs of humpback whales!). Morning and afternoon walks and talks, home-cooked meals, chocolate desserts, and gatherings with family and friends were mainstays throughout his life.

During his forty years of residence in Kansas City, Missouri, Choppy and Sally raised their four daughters and engaged fully in the city’s civic life and their daughters’ schools. Choppy served on boards including Commerce Bank, Midwest Research Institute, and the University of Missouri–Kansas City. He was an Alumni Trustee of Williams College. He and Sally were avid supporters of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Kansas City Friends of Chamber Music. On Captiva Island, they made new friends and engaged with their community through the Captiva Civic Association, the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, and the Ding Darling National Wildlife Foundation.

All of Choppy’s loves and interests converged during the summertime on an island in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. While there, he walked the pine needle and sweet-smelling cedar paths along the island’s shore, looking for wildlife and waving to the nearby Great Lakes freighters. He loved boating adventures to rocky cliffs for picnics and plunging into the cold current below, racing across whitecaps on a windsurfer, visiting close friends in Canada, and dock days full of food, champagne, and laughter. He was in his element—whether in a boat or sitting on the porch—surrounded by all those he loved so deeply, a dog or two causing chaos, an upbound freighter thrumming far down the river, as he readily shared his gratitude for others and his appreciation of life.

He leaves his cherished wife of 62 years, Sally, and his four daughters and sons-in-law: Caroline Rheinfrank and Chopper Bernet, Virginia (Gina) and Willy Foote, Emily and John Birknes, MD, and Lydia Rheinfrank and Kyle Rusconi. He was “Grandchop” to Nevin, Angus, and Fiona Bernet; Charlotte, Thaddeus, and James Foote; Madeline, Cora, and Lydia Birknes; and Mae, Anna, and Tessa Rusconi. He also leaves his sister, Jenny Barthold, and his nephews and niece—Stephen, Jeffrey, and Lydia Hankins—their families, and many cousins.

The family thanks the remarkable, caring staff of Concord Park Compass Memory Care, 68 Commonwealth Avenue, Concord, MA 01742; Care Dimensions Hospice Care; and the aides from Kalinoski Elder Care Services LLC. For those who would like to make a donation in Choppy’s honor, please consider any of the above organizations or Williams College, Williamstown, MA 01267.

A Celebration of Choppy will be held on September 27, 2025, in Concord, Massachusetts.

Arrangements under the care of Concord Funeral Home, 74 Belknap Street, Concord, MA 01742  978-369-3388 www.concordfuneral.com