A Medical Device Daily

Cardiogenesis (Irvine, California) reported that Joseph R. Kletzel II, a member of its board, died on Jan. 15.

Kletzel had been a member of the company’s board since 2001 and was employed in a series of senior management positions beginning in 2004, most recently as executive chairman since November, 2006.

In a statement, the company said Kletzel “was very well respected in the medical device industry as a leader and a man of impeccable integrity.”

Richard Lanigan, president of Cardiogenesis, said. “Joe will be greatly missed, both as a respected colleague and as a friend, whose integrity and respect for others will always be remembered.”

Kletzel’s medical device career included positions as COO for Advanced Tissue Sciences (La Jolla, California); president of the Research Division of Fisher Scientific International (Pittsburgh); and President and COO of Devon Industries (Chatsworth, California).

He earned a BS in biology from Villanova University and achieved the rank of captain while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Cardiogenesis’ Holmium: YAG laser system and disposable fiber-optic accessories are used to perform surgical procedure known as Transmyocardial Revascularization to treat patients suffering from angina.