Albert Lippert; Helped Develop Weight Watchers

Albert Lippert, 72, who helped develop Jean Nidetch’s diet plan into Weight Watchers International. A Brooklyn-born Army veteran of World War II, Lippert earned a degree in business administration from City College of New York and did graduate work at Baruch College, then began a career in the garment district. Concerned about their expanding girth, he and his wife, Felice, heard about Nidetch and her offer to teach a diet program and invited her over. Her pep talk and diet sheet began to melt Lippert pounds, and the Lipperts and Nidetches became partners. Within a year, Lippert started selling Weight Watchers franchises requiring 10% of future profits. Likening his methods to giving away razors to sell razor blades, he quickly saw returns of $100,000 a year from a $2,000 franchise. Sales of cookbooks and frozen foods followed. After Weight Watchers was sold to H.J. Heinz Co. in 1978, Lippert remained as chief executive for three years and was a member of the Heinz board and a Weight Watchers consultant until his death. On Saturday in Johannesburg, South Africa, of a brain hemorrhage.