Nanometrics Announces Passing of Founder Vincent J. Coates

Nanometrics (NASDAQ: NANO) today announced that Founder Vincent J. Coates passed away Tuesday evening at his Palo Alto home at the age of 87. Mr. Coates founded Nanometrics in 1975, and in his tenure developed multiple successful product lines, was awarded more than 20 U.S. patents, and grew Nanometrics into an important metrology and process control company for the worldwide semiconductor industry. Mr. Coates served as the company's Chief Executive Officer from 1975 until 1998 and as Chairman of the Board from 1975 until 2007.  In 1995, SEMI recognized Mr. Coates with a lifetime achievement award for his pioneering work in Scanning Electron Microscopy. "Vince was a remarkable entrepreneur and true visionary in the industry," commented Bruce Rhine, Chairman. "His pioneering work in metrology and scientific instruments played a key role in the development and production of integrated circuits and other solid state devices. His contributions to the success of Nanometrics and the industry as a whole are innumerable. He is survived by wife Stella, three children and four grandchildren, all of whom are in our thoughts as we say goodbye to See full press release