08/04/2025
A tribute to a man who was respected in the engraving world and who was our friend. We are all trying to process the loss of our co-worker and good friend, Lloyd (Bob) Cring.
Bob began his work in the engraving industry in Rochester, NY where he worked with Tom Greenberg for many years before they moved to the Richmond, VA area in 2004. Bob, Tom and others moved their families to Richmond with a company that acquired an engraving company in the area. When Tom started Alliance in 2011, Bob was one of the first 5 employees at Alliance and was instrumental in getting the company off the ground. Over Bob's career he traveled to work on equipment in 6 countries and 48 of the United States.
As Machine Building and Laser Department Manager, Bob had over 40 years of experience in Machine Building and was on the ground floor of the implementation of laser engraving technology at Alliance. He was a mentor to many, and as he moved into partial retirement, has worked the past 3 years with Josh Greenberg to share his knowledge in laser engraving. Bob was well known and respected among customers in our industry who would personally ask for Bob's instruction and support on their embossing and calendering machinery.
Aside from our working relationship, Bob was our friend. He was a man with a BIG heart and cared about people. There is a favorite Richmond donut shop near Bob's home and he would occasionally bring donuts in for the whole shop and office. We have a smoker at the shop and Bob would bring in beef brisket for all to enjoy. Bob would often take time to ask how family members were doing or people he knew you cared about. That was the kind of man Bob was.
We at Alliance are a tight knit group, and we are proud of that! Walking around the shop the past couple of days talking about Bob with other employees, everyone is hurting from the loss we all feel, but at the end of every conversation was a smile. Bob made us think about things with his wisdom and perspective on life, he made us laugh with re-accountings of road trips and the many years of work related stories, and he made us proud to have known him. Bob will continue to be a part of us as we live out the lessons he taught us and cherish the ways he touched each of our lives.
