Richard G. "Skip" LeFauve died Sunday, January 26th in a West Palm Beach, Florida hospital from complications he suffered from a heart attack last month. He was 68. Skip was president of Saturn from 1986 through 1995.

"Skip was just beloved by Saturn's people," Saturn spokeswoman Sue Holmgren told the Detroit News. "He was such a great leader and was such a very pleasant man. He genuinely cared about the work force, and his death saddens us all." She said flags were lowered to half-staff in his honor at Saturn assembly plants in Spring Hill, Tennessee, and Wilmington, Delaware.

"Skip was a visionary leader," said Rick Wagoner, GM President and Chief Executive Officer in a statement released by the company yesterday. "During his 42-year career with GM, Skip focused on harnessing the talent, knowledge, experience and the spirit of people. Skip was a great guy. He'll be missed by us all. But, most of all, he'll be remembered because he made a tremendous contribution to the company and served as a positive role model for all of those around him."

Probably best known for his role in the launch of Saturn, LeFauve was a leader who "took the bull by the horns," Ray Williams, the mayor of Spring Hill, Tennessee told the Detroit Free Press. "Still today when you walk into the Saturn plant, it's Skip LeFauve's plant," he said.

Skip fought hard during the early days of Saturn to make sure the company didn't become just another GM division. He believed in the principles on which the company was built and worked passionately to make it a success. In addition, he played a key role in the making of Saturn's unique labor agreement that gave Spring Hill UAW workers a greater say in decisions made at the plant. Skip was also instrumental in the creation of Saturn's image as a customer-focused organization that put a service and personal attention as top priority. It was under his tenure that Saturn instituted its groundbreaking one-price, no haggle no hassle policy.

LeFauve was native of Orchard Park, New York born on November 30, 1934. He graduated from Case Institute of Technology and started working for General Motors in 1956 as an engineer with the Packard Electric Division in Warren, Ohio. During his time with the company he served in a variety of manufacturing, engineering and management positions. On February 3, 1986 he became the third president of Saturn. His responsibilities included launching "the new plant, new line of vehicles, the new retail network, and the creation of a new partnership with the United Auto Workers union," said Wagner. In 1994, in addition to running Saturn he was appointed vice president and group executive in charge of GM's newly formed North American Operations small car group.

Skip LeFauve behind the wheel of a 1991 SC.

LeFauve was resident of Ann Arbor, Michigan, but he and his wife spent winters in Florida. He is survived by his wife, Mary, and five adult children.

Visitation will take place Friday, January 31st at Nie Funeral Home in Ann Arbor, Michigan from 2 to 8 pm. The funeral service will be held at the funeral home Saturday, February 1st at 11 am. The Tennessean reports that a group of Saturn management and labor employees plan to attend the funeral. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 17220 W. 12 Mile Road, Ste 100, Southfield, Michigan, 48076.

Please join myself and other Saturn fans by posting a message on this thread celebrating the life of Skip LeFauve.

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Source: General Motors, Detroit Free Press, Detroit News, Tennessean, Fast Company