Redken issued a press release on the passing of chemist, innovator and longtime Redken family member, Dr. David Cannell: 

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. David William Cannell. He passed away peacefully on December 24, 2017, at the age of 73.

Dr. Cannell earned a PhD in Physical Organic Chemistry from Yale University in 1970, after completing undergraduate studies at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1966. Through Dr. Cannell’s long career in the beauty industry, his efforts led to world-renowned status amongst his peers. His quest for the next advancement in hair and skin led to many breakthrough technologies for Redken, which he joined in 1972. His contributions to research, product development and international marketing earned him the title of Senior Vice President. In his time with Redken he brought forth ground-breaking innovations still present in Redken products today, including CAT Treatment, Shades EQ Conditioning Color Gloss, Extreme Anti-Snap, to reference a few. Following the acquisition by L’Oreal in 1993 and subsequent move of Redken to the East Coast the following year, Dr. Cannell’s R&D scope evolved to heading all of the L’Oreal USA hair brands until he retired in 2009. 

 “Dr. Cannell was not only a brilliant scientist but an incredibly generous person with his time and knowledge, always serving as a resource to others,” says Shane Wolf, Worldwide General Manager, Redken. “He was passionate about working with hairdressers and advancing the industry. He leaves a legacy of scientific excellence that continues to drive Redken as a brand today.”

 “David was an industry icon and will be greatly missed by the Redken family and beyond,” says Leslie Marino, General Manager, Redken. “Through his contributions to the Redken brand and later L’Oreal USA, he was able to touch those who used our products to grow their salon business and better their lives. David’s dedication to science and the salon professional was apparent in all he did.”

“We lost an industry legend, a true innovator and very special man,” says Christine Schuster, SVP Education, L’Oreal PPD. “‘Dr. David’ Cannell had a real passion for creating beauty through science and he crafted many of the most trusted professional products used in salons around the world today. He made science simple and hairdressers successful.”

 “For 34 years, David and I were privileged to travel the Redken world sharing the message of ‘Beauty through Science’ and ‘Beauty with an attitude and Science with a Sizzle’”, says Ann Mincey, Redken Brand Consultant. “In the lab, David and the R&D team created amazing products based on three simple concepts to which salon professionals related easily: pH, protein and professionalism. Whether on stage or backstage, a sales meeting or editor deskside, David taught with clarity and humor the structure of hair, how the products interacted with the hair and how the salon professionals could use those products to get the effects they wanted. David was my colleague and more, he was my friend.”