Stempel

Larry Stempel is a scholar rather than a fan, but without the cliched scholarly dryness.

"Showtime," Larry Stempel's history of Broadway musicals, reviewed by Lloyd Rose Lloyd Rose 2010

Larry Stempel is a scholar rather than a fan, but without the cliched scholarly dryness.

"Showtime," Larry Stempel's history of Broadway musicals, reviewed by Lloyd Rose Lloyd Rose 2010

While climbing the corporate ladder, Mr. Stempel acquired a reputation as a nice guy who put engineering first.

Engineer Ran GM in Dark Early '90s Stephen Miller 2011

Mr. Stempel, who died Saturday at age 77, was originally an automotive engineer, a rare "car guy" in a boardroom populated by experts in finance and management.

Engineer Ran GM in Dark Early '90s Stephen Miller 2011

An earlier version of this article incorrectly paired that caption with a photo of Mr. Stempel with a Chevrolet Camaro Z28.

Engineer Ran GM in Dark Early '90s Stephen Miller 2011

As president of GM, Mr. Stempel oversaw development of electronic ignition systems and the Sunraycer, an innovative solar-powered car that won the first World Solar Challenge race, in 1987 in Australia.

Engineer Ran GM in Dark Early '90s Stephen Miller 2011

Died: Robert Stempel, 77, automotive engineer who ran GM in the early '90s.

What's News: World-Wide 2011

Robert Stempel was chairman of General Motors Corp. during the big auto maker's dark days in the early 1990s, when the company hemorrhaged billions of dollars, closed plants and gave up market share to imports.

Engineer Ran GM in Dark Early '90s Stephen Miller 2011

In the photo accompanying this story, GM Chairman Robert Stempel appears with a 1992 Cadillac Seville prototype.

Engineer Ran GM in Dark Early '90s Stephen Miller 2011

Roger Smith, GM's chairman in the 1980s, made Mr. Stempel his chief lieutenant.

Engineer Ran GM in Dark Early '90s Stephen Miller 2011