In Memoriam: Michel Decroupette (1948–2007)

	On April 10th 2007, Patton experienced the tragic loss of a great businessman, leader, and friend. Michel Decroupette lived his life with passion, energy, enthusiasm, intelligence, gratitude, joy, and kindness...and will be missed by his beloved family, friends, colleagues, customers and all of us at Patton who knew him.

Despite his significant struggle with cancer the last few years, Michel kept working hard and was a driving force for Patton. Through Michel’s professional dedication and hard work, the Patton companies have seen double-digit growth of sales in VoIP throughout his region.

Michel was born in Belgium on 16 November 1948. Michel’s father was a Belgian Military Officer in NATO from 1955 to 1985 and his mother was a school teacher. He graduated from the International School in Fontainebleau, France in 1963 and graduated from Military School in Belgium in 1968. He served 8 years in the Belgian Army assigned to NATO as a Logistical Officer in Germany and the Netherlands.

In 1975 he began his civilian career, starting at Apple Computer in France and the UK as EUMEA Customer Service Manager. He then began his tenure with Memorex where he moved from Customer Services Director for EUMEA though various Marketing and Production Operations management positions until becoming the Director for the region reporting to Memorex’s President for Europe and South America.

From 1985 through 1996 Michel gave his expertise in Sales to SOTEK International, Burroughs Europe and Digicom Italy. From 1996 through 1999 served as CEO for Digicorp Telecom International. From 1999 through 2001 he served as COO for a VoIP startup company while also consulting in VoIP with Telecom Italia in Rome.

Prior to his engagement with Patton, Michel opened the European subsidiary of Mediatrix Canada as the EUMEA Director of Sales.

Michel's love for life, friendship, and outstanding achievements as a business leader, despite the toughest conditions, serves as an inspiration to us all even as we mourn his passing.