06.29.10
Former Kemin Health president and FloraGLO lutein inventor, Rod Ausich, died recently after his battle with cancer. Mr. Ausich was president of Kemin Health until late 2009 when his health began to deteriorate. He is credited with realizing lutein’s benefits for eye health in combating age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and pioneering a new methodology for the development of purified lutein still used at Kemin today. He is survived by his wife and two children. Mr. Ausich joined Kemin in 1994 as the director of research and development for Kemin Industries. After he realized lutein’s benefits for eye health, a separate business unit was formed, Kemin Health, to focus on the commercialization of FloraGLO Lutein. He authored seven published and five pending patents. He was also an active member of the Des Moines, IA, community serving on the Board of Directors of Mercy College, and ultimately Chairman of that Board for four years.
