A lot of people in the Optics & Photonics community will be sad to learn that we lost Sasha Pearlman on March 22nd.
Sasha was born in Lvov, Ukraine in 1950. He immigrated to Israel at the age of 17 and began studying optical engineering shortly after his time in the Israeli army. He began working in optics at a small Ray Ban assembly plant in Israel and continued doing so until moving to the United States with his wife and three sons in 1986. In Rochester, New York, Sasha worked for a couple of private optical firms including Melles Griot before eventually starting his own company, Opto-Alignment Technology, in 1992.
Since then, Sasha has done what he loves most: proudly designing and building precision optical assembly equipment with a focus on laser alignment and lens handling tools, providing optical engineering solutions and consulting services to a wide array of clients, and always doing so with a sincere emphasis on genuine customer care. He continued living out his dream and building upon his success even after moving Opto-Alignment Technology to Charlotte, North Carolina in 2002 in order to be closer to his growing family.
Sadly, Sasha was diagnosed with terminal cancer in early 2016. After over a year of treatments, he passed away on March 22, 2017 in the company of his loving wife. He is survived by his wife, Timna; his three sons, Guy, Omer, and Iftach; his six beloved grandchildren, Daniel, Eden, Orly, Yoni, Naomi, and Ethan; as well as, his brother, Eli.
Sasha is, and always will be, dearly missed by all who knew him.
“When we have achievements that are based on his; We remember him. For as long as we live, he too will live, for he is now a part of us as we remember him.”
– Sylvan Kamens & Rabbi Jack Riemer
Opto Alignment’s management team, and the company as a whole, remais committed to Sasha’s primary tenet. We will continue to take pride in our products, treat our customers with respect, and provide dependable service.
A scholarship fund in Sasha’s name has been established at UNC Charlotte, HERE.