Al Corwin, 76, former president of GROHE, died Oct. 23 after a long battle with cancer. He led GROHE from 1978 until his retirement as chairman in 1996. During his tenure, the firm grew from a fledgling operation to a leader in the U.S. market. The company credits Corwin with taking faucets from a commodity to a design statement and making thermostatic shower valves the norm in high-end American showers. Also, the company said he introduced the first pull-out spray kitchen faucet, Ladylux. Prior to his time at GROHE, Corwin spent 13 years as a professional baseball player, five of those with the New York Giants, then joined Moen as a regional salesman. According to Bob Atkins, current president of GROHE, Corwin will be remembered as a visionary who built GROHE by presenting a unique product line, positioning it, and promoting it with relentless enthusiasm.