Optical Industry Mourns Larry Roth, Marchon Eyewear Co-Founder

Laurence “Larry” T. Roth, co-founder and former co-president of Marchon Eyewear, died at age 75 on September 27, 2026, following a battle with cancer. Born in Queens, New York, Roth established Marchon in 1983 alongside Al Berg and Jeff White, overseeing U.S. sales structures as the company grew into a global leader in licensed eyewear brands including Nike, Calvin Klein, Fendi, Coach, and Michael Kors. VSP Vision acquired Marchon in 2008. Afterward, Roth founded the racing and breeding operation LNJ Foxwoods with his wife Nanci and daughter Jaime. Industry colleagues, including VSP Vision’s Nicola Zotta and The Vision Council’s Mitch Barkley, issued tributes highlighting his analytical mind, sales strategies, and lasting impact on optical industry culture.