Former Invacare CEO and industry advocate Mal Mixon III passes away
On 30 November 2020, Malachi ‘Mal’ Mixon III, the driving force of Invacare’s rise from regional wheelchair manufacturer to global player, sadly passed away at the age of 80.
A former marine and Harvard graduate, Mixon purchased Invacare in 1979 at the age of 39. Over the following decades, he transformed the small Ohio-based wheelchair maker into a publicly traded, multinational healthcare equipment distributor.
The organisation now supplies over 25,000 medical equipment providers in over 80 countries.
After suffering a stroke in 2010, Mixon stepped down as CEO to become Chairman of Invacare’s board of directors until his retirement in December 2014.
A long-time advocate of the industry, Mixon was heralded for his efforts to champion the industry in the US. In 2015, his years of flying the flag for the industry were recognised when he was presented the Legislative Advocate Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Association for Homecare.
In his autobiography, Mixon spoke of wanting to take action when he realised nobody was representing his industry in Washington. He wrote of holding fundraisers and getting close to politicians so that he could make them see the issues as he saw them.
Matthew Monaghan, Invacare’s Chairman, President and CEO, shared this statement online:
“It is with great sadness that I share Invacare’s founder, A. Malachi Mixon, III, passed away yesterday at the age of 80. Mal was a pioneer in our industry who helped so many people. He led in growth and innovation.
“He was a tireless advocate of the industry and supporter of providers everywhere. He was an especially strong ally of all those who rely on our products to ‘make life’s experiences possible’.
“Although Mal retired as CEO in 2010 and as Chairman of our Board of Directors in 2015, we recognize his tremendous impact and decades of dedication to making Invacare the success it is today. Our prayers are with his wife and family”.
Mixon leaves behind his wife Barbara, two children, six grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, and sister.
