Harriet Gerber Lewis, chairperson of Gerber Plumbing Fixtures Corp. and a beloved plumbing industry citizen, passed away Sept. 24, 2001, of a heart attack at age 81. She was the daughter of company founder Max Gerber and sister of former company CEO Oscar Gerber, who died in 1983.

Harriet's daughter, Ila Lewis, is still active in the business, as executive vice president. Other surviving family members include son Alan Lewis, daughter Nancy Pollak and niece Daryl Stokles.