Conrad A. Plimpton, Business Builder with a Passion for Science, Dies at 82

Conrad Austin Plimpton, 82, of Princeton, NJ, and Tucson, AZ, passed away on April 19 at Tucson Medical Center Hospice, Peppi’s House, from pneumonia and related health complications.

Plimpton led a remarkable life characterized by enthusiasm, a deep commitment to loved ones, and an enduring spirit of adventure. His vibrant energy, generous spirit and unwavering devotion to family and friends left a lasting impact on all who knew him.

Plimpton is survived by his wife of 62 years, Grace Ann; his sons, David (Stacy), Conrad II “Steve” (Rebecca), and Michael; and his daughter, Sarah Liebowitz (Marc). He is also survived by 18 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, his younger brother Jonathan (Anne), and two nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Joanna Plimpton, and two of his sons, John and Peter.

Angel Investor

In recent years, Plimpton was most active as an angel investor in projects that inspired him and as a donor to organizations that reflected his values, most notably MSDx, Flourishing Arizona, and the Child Health Institute of New Jersey, where he served as founder and trustee.

Prior to his retirement, Plimpton’s career focused on investing, innovation and entrepreneurship, with a particular appreciation for applied science, life sciences and technology. Plimpton earned his AB from Harvard College, an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and a Master of Astrophysics from the University of Chicago.

He began his career at McKinsey & Company, focusing on technology investments, and later worked as an investment banker at Kuhn Loeb & Co. In 1975, he founded Plimpton & Company, dedicated to buying and building businesses, with a strong emphasis on supporting people and entrepreneurs.

Over the course of his career, Plimpton invested in, owned and chaired the boards of numerous businesses, including Exide Electronics, which he grew in the 1990s from $50 million in revenue to $600 million, primarily through new product innovation. The company was ultimately sold to Eaton.

In 1981, he led the buyout of Inolex, where he served as chairman and CEO until 2013. Today, Inolex is an ingredient design firm serving the health, beauty and wellness industries and remains an independent, multigenerational family investment. Plimpton was also instrumental in the acquisition of Troy Corporation, a company focused on safe preservation technologies, in 1983, and remained a long-term investor and director until its eventual sale to Arxada. In 2018, he co-founded Sustainable Botanicals International, focused on traceable, sustainable natural ingredients for the beauty industry.

Plimpton was a well-known and widely respected figure in the cosmetics industry. He will be remembered for traveling tens of millions of miles to meet people, attending conferences and trade shows, and consistently building relationships across the global personal care community. In his free time, Plimpton was an active member of the Rotary Club of Tucson, participated in the Physical Sciences committees at the University of Chicago, and was involved with the Tucson Jewish Community Center. He previously served as a Trustee of the Center of Theological Inquiry and as a member of Harvard University’s Major Gifts Committee.

Conrad was also a member and elder of Winnetka Presbyterian Church in Illinois, the Church of the Holy Comforter in Kenilworth, Illinois, and later a longtime member of Nassau Presbyterian Church in Princeton, NJ, as well as St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church in Tucson, AZ.