Local resident Ron Christy died Oct. 12 following a traffic accident on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. He was 66.
Christy was born and grew up in Long Island, N.Y. He graduated from Lehigh University with a degree in physics in 1961. Christy moved to Malibu in 1969. He worked for Hughes Aircraft in El Segundo, where he created the research lab in vacuum coatings. He later created the research lab in vacuum coatings for TRW, also in El Segundo.
In 1985, Christy founded Tribo Coating in Malibu, developing a worldwide reputation in vacuum depositions. He held seven U.S. patents, pioneering the development of ion-plated and dry lubricant coatings. His coatings have been utilized by NASA and the Defense Department. The coatings were also used for the Hubbel telescope, racecars and spy planes for the Armed Forces.
Christy was a car enthusiast. As a third-grader, he removed the engine from his father’s law mower and built himself a go-cart. He later built a prototype electric care and an AC COBRA.
Christy is survived by his life partner, Grace Korn, his daughter, Brooke C. Winter, grandchildren, Morgan, Madison and Joshua and sisters, Janet Schoeler and Joanne Graydon.