M. Richard Singer, 75, who founded Singer Manufacturing Co. in Kensington almost a half-century ago, died yesterday at Montgomery Hospital in Norristown.
Mr. Singer, who had lived in Lafayette Hill for many years, retired 10 years ago. His two eldest sons took over daily operations of the clothing manufacturer, now called Executive Apparel Inc.; Mr. Singer remained the chairman of the board. He and his wife, Eleanor, moved to King of Prussia six years ago and spent winters in Hallandale, Fla.
Mr. Singer was born into clothing manufacturing; his father owned a factory in Olney that cut leather jackets. Mr. Singer graduated from Olney High School in 1938 and worked with his father until 1940, when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps.
The Air Corps used Mr. Singer's factory experience, assigning him to run a parachute-packing factory in North Africa. When the war moved into Italy, he ran a similar factory there.
When he returned to the United States in 1944, Mr. Singer opened a men's retail store called Rix, on Frankford Avenue. Three years later, he founded Singer Manufacturing at Howard Street and Lehigh Avenue in Kensington.
The company assembled boys' suits.
Over the years, the business expanded to men's and women's clothing and moved to other locations in Kensington. The company now primarily manufactures uniforms.
At its height, the company had about 400 employees, mostly women. The workers were of all nationalities.
Mr. Singer, who had lived in Lafayette Hill for many years, retired 10 years ago. His two eldest sons took over daily operations of the clothing manufacturer, now called Executive Apparel Inc.; Mr. Singer remained the chairman of the board. He and his wife, Eleanor, moved to King of Prussia six years ago and spent winters in Hallandale, Fla.
Mr. Singer was born into clothing manufacturing; his father owned a factory in Olney that cut leather jackets. Mr. Singer graduated from Olney High School in 1938 and worked with his father until 1940, when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps.
The Air Corps used Mr. Singer's factory experience, assigning him to run a parachute-packing factory in North Africa. When the war moved into Italy, he ran a similar factory there.
When he returned to the United States in 1944, Mr. Singer opened a men's retail store called Rix, on Frankford Avenue. Three years later, he founded Singer Manufacturing at Howard Street and Lehigh Avenue in Kensington.
The company assembled boys' suits.
Over the years, the business expanded to men's and women's clothing and moved to other locations in Kensington. The company now primarily manufactures uniforms.
At its height, the company had about 400 employees, mostly women. The workers were of all nationalities.
M. Richard Singer, 75, who founded Singer Manufacturing Co. in Kensington almost a half-century ago, died yesterday at Montgomery Hospital in Norristown.
Mr. Singer, who had lived in Lafayette Hill for many years, retired 10 years ago. His two eldest sons took over daily operations of the clothing manufacturer, now called Executive Apparel Inc.; Mr. Singer remained the chairman of the board. He and his wife, Eleanor, moved to King of Prussia six years ago and spent winters in Hallandale, Fla.
Mr. Singer was born into clothing manufacturing; his father owned a factory in Olney that cut leather jackets. Mr. Singer graduated from Olney High School in 1938 and worked with his father until 1940, when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps.
The Air Corps used Mr. Singer's factory experience, assigning him to run a parachute-packing factory in North Africa. When the war moved into Italy, he ran a similar factory there.
When he returned to the United States in 1944, Mr. Singer opened a men's retail store called Rix, on Frankford Avenue. Three years later, he founded Singer Manufacturing at Howard Street and Lehigh Avenue in Kensington.
The company assembled boys' suits.
Over the years, the business expanded to men's and women's clothing and moved to other locations in Kensington. The company now primarily manufactures uniforms.
At its height, the company had about 400 employees, mostly women. The workers were of all nationalities.
Mr. Singer, who had lived in Lafayette Hill for many years, retired 10 years ago. His two eldest sons took over daily operations of the clothing manufacturer, now called Executive Apparel Inc.; Mr. Singer remained the chairman of the board. He and his wife, Eleanor, moved to King of Prussia six years ago and spent winters in Hallandale, Fla.
Mr. Singer was born into clothing manufacturing; his father owned a factory in Olney that cut leather jackets. Mr. Singer graduated from Olney High School in 1938 and worked with his father until 1940, when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps.
The Air Corps used Mr. Singer's factory experience, assigning him to run a parachute-packing factory in North Africa. When the war moved into Italy, he ran a similar factory there.
When he returned to the United States in 1944, Mr. Singer opened a men's retail store called Rix, on Frankford Avenue. Three years later, he founded Singer Manufacturing at Howard Street and Lehigh Avenue in Kensington.
The company assembled boys' suits.
Over the years, the business expanded to men's and women's clothing and moved to other locations in Kensington. The company now primarily manufactures uniforms.
At its height, the company had about 400 employees, mostly women. The workers were of all nationalities.
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