Alfred M. Moen, 84, died April 17 at his home in Destin, Fla.

His business card identified him as "inventor." He was best-known for his invention of the single-handle mixing faucet. Its creation eventually led to the formation of Moen Inc., and today more than 70 percent of the kitchen faucets sold in the United States are single-handle.

He headed Moen's research and development group until his retirement in 1982. Moen held 75 patents, including the replaceable cartridge (eliminating washers), the screen aerator, push-button shower valve diverter, swivel spray, pressure balancing shower valve and flow control aerator. He also held many patents in fields unrelated to plumbing.

Moen was a championship roller skater, and learned to fly a twin-engine plane in 1960. At age 78 he piloted his own plane from his home in Florida to attend Moen Inc.'s dedication of its new headquarters in North Olmstead, Ohio, where it is located on Al Moen Drive.

"I've been very, very lucky to come from nothing and work my way to the top with ideas," he once said.