Last Years
His company D&R struggled financially during his final years. A promised infusion of capital from the Rockefeller family was not fully realized.
In 1980, Lilienthal had two separate serious health problems, requiring both a bilateral hip replacement and cataract surgery in one eye. He needed crutches and a cane at various points. Eye problems made it almost impossible to read or write, two of his great comforts in times of stress.
He died in his sleep in January 1981.
Read more about this topic: David E. Lilienthal
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