Elk Grove businessman developed process for parts on Apollo 11

Suburban business owner Richard “Dick” Iosso, who developed a chrome-plating process that produced parts for the Apollo 11 moon landing, died March 28 following a brief illness. He was 87.

A longtime resident of Schaumburg and Anna Maria Island, Florida, Iosso founded Elk Grove Village-based Iosso Products in 1970. Thirteen years later, he launched the subsidiary Iosso Products and named his daughter, Marianne, its vice president of sales.

Born on Christmas Day 1933, the Chicago native served in the U.S. Army then settled in his hometown with his high school sweetheart, Grace. To offset bills he would play drums in a band on the weekends and continued to perform and enjoy music throughout his life.

In 1967, Iosso developed several breakthrough metallurgical processes, including a chrome-plating method that makes zinc harder. It was patented in 27 countries and parts using his innovative process were used on the Apollo 11 mission that flew Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to the moon.

The accomplishment led to the founding of Iosso Metal Processes, which provides metal coatings intended to extend the life of parts and create more efficient production techniques.

He later applied his knowledge of chemistry and keen business skills to start Iosso Products, which manufactures environmentally responsible cleaning products.

Splitting time between Illinois and Anna Maria Island, Iosso enjoyed fishing, cooking, photography, making family videos and his passion, music. Most of all, he treasured his family.

He is survived by his daughters Marianne (Donald) Ortmann and Chris (Steve) Kierstead, four grandchildren, and business partner Grace Nosko. Services were held over the weekend.