Henry “Hank” M. Liptak Sr., president of Highway Equipment & Supply Company in Harrisburg, Pa., died on March 18, 2008, in Scottsdale, Ariz. An employee, Diane Cobb, said he will be remembered for his sweet smile and his concern for others.

“He enjoyed coming into the office and telling everyone good morning, even in the last years of his life. His mind was really sharp and he could remember things from long ago, important things like handling the retirement funds for the employees. … It was really important to him that the employees save for their retirement.”

Cobb also said that Liptak was very well liked and that through wars, recessions and economic down times, he tried never to lay anyone off.

“He knew that people relied on their paychecks week to week and he would try to keep everyone working, even if it meant sharing other duties and responsibilities,” she said.

Liptak was born Sept. 20, 1921, in Johnstown, Pa. He was an outstanding athlete during high school and at High Point University, which he attended before being drafted into the U.S. Army. He served his country in World War II and married the late Florence Elkins Liptak.

After his discharge from the army, Liptak began a long and dedicated career in the construction equipment business. He began in sales in Pittsburgh and later moved to New York and sold equipment there. He returned to Pennsylvania and became owner and president of Highway Equipment & Supply Company, which he ran for 60 years. He also started a second location in Hazelton with co-owner William J. Flood.

His son, Michael Liptak, said he was a good president, because “he had a good relationship with both customers and manufacturers and he made the right decisions at the right time to help the company grow in terms of opening new branches or trying to attract new manufacturers.”

Liptak and his wife lived for many years in the Cedar Cliff Manor area and were very active in the West Shore Community. He was a member of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in New Cumberland, Pa.

Liptak also was known for his golfing skills. He was a longtime member of Colonial Country Club and enjoyed spending his winters in Scottsdale, Ariz., golfing.

He is survived by his son, H. Michael Liptak and wife Dolores R. Liptak of Harrisburg, Pa.; a daughter, Jacqueline L. Neubaum of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

“Over the years, Hank saw a lot of changes in manufacturers and equipment, not to mention the computer age making its way in to the work life,” said Cobb. “Hank will be greatly missed.”

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