Document:

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                             EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT made effective as of January 1, 2001, by and
between SONIC FOUNDRY, INC., a Maryland corporation ("Sonic Foundry") and CURTIS
J. PALMER, an adult resident of Wisconsin ("Employee").

     WHEREAS, Employee has been serving as Chief Technology Officer of
Sonic Foundry for several years, including pursuant to an Employment Agreement
that expired January 1, 2001 (the "Previous Agreement"); and

     WHEREAS, Sonic Foundry desires to continue to employ Employee, and
Employee desires to continue to be employed by Sonic Foundry; and

     WHEREAS, Sonic Foundry and Employee desire to enter into a new employment
agreement under substantially the same terms as the Previous Agreement and that
will confirm and set forth the terms and conditions of Employee's continued
employment with Sonic Foundry.

     NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises to this Agreement and for
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are
hereby acknowledged, Sonic Foundry and Employee agree as follows:

     1.   Continued Employment.  Sonic Foundry hereby continues to employ
          --------------------
Employee, and Employee agrees to continue to work for Sonic Foundry under the
following terms hereby agreed upon.

     2.   Title; Role.  Employee is hereby engaged to work in the executive
          -----------
capacity of Chief Technology Officer of Sonic Foundry, or any other capacity so
designated by Sonic Foundry, generally consistent with Employee's present duties
and responsibilities.

     3.   Contract Term.  Employee shall continue to work hereunder as of the
          -------------
date hereof and the employment shall continue, unless sooner terminated pursuant
to the terms hereof, until January 1, 2005 (the "Initial Contract Term"). This
Agreement shall automatically renew for successive 2 year terms, unless at least
60 days before the end of the Initial Contract Term or any renewal term (the
Initial Contract Term and any renewal term, the "Contract Term") either party
provides the other party written notice to terminate the Agreement.

     4.   Employee Obligation.  Employee agrees that he shall devote sufficient
          -------------------
skill, labor and attention to said employment during the Contract Term in order
to promptly and faithfully do and perform all services pertaining to said
position that are or may hereafter be required of him by Sonic Foundry during
the Contract Term.

     5.   Consideration.  Sonic Foundry agrees as follows:
          -------------

          a.  Base Salary.  Sonic Foundry shall pay Employee a base salary at
              -----------
          the rate of $160,000 per year during each year of the Contract Term,
          payable bi-weekly. The Board of Directors of Sonic Foundry (or a duly
          constituted and empowered committee thereof) may further increase
          Employee's salary effective on each anniversary date of this
          Agreement, at its discretion. In addition, Employee may receive annual
          bonuses as may be declared by the Board of Directors of Sonic Foundry
          (or a duly constituted and empowered committee thereof).

          b.  Other Benefits.  Employee shall receive such other incidental
              --------------
          benefits of employment, such as insurance, retirement plan, ESOP
          participation, and vacation, as are provided generally to Sonic

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          Foundry's other salaried employees on the same terms as are applicable
          to such other employees. For purposes of such incidental benefits of
          employment which are based upon income, including but not limited to
          insurance, retirement plans and ESOP participation, income shall be
          deemed to include all amounts payable pursuant to Paragraph 5(a)
          hereof.

          c.   Expenses.  Employee shall also be reimbursed for all reasonable
               --------
          business expenses incurred in connection with his employment.

          6.   Termination Events.  It is agreed that:
               ------------------
          a.   General.  This Agreement and the employment of Employee hereunder
               -------
               shall terminate on the first to occur of:

               (i)    the expiration of the term specified in Paragraph 3
                      hereof;

               (ii)   the death or Physical or Mental Disability of Employee as
                      described in Paragraph 8 hereof;

               (iii)  Employee's voluntary departure from employment;  or

               (iv)   Employee's termination pursuant to Paragraphs (b) or (c)
                      hereof.

          b.   By Board of Directors. The Board of Directors of Sonic Foundry
               ---------------------
               may terminate or shall be deemed to have terminated the
               employment of Employee at any time:

               (i)  "with cause" upon the conviction of Employee for a
malfeasance (i.e. theft, embezzlement, fraud or a dishonest act) against Sonic
Foundry; or

               (ii) "without cause" if they shall determine that it is in the
best interests of Sonic Foundry to terminate this Agreement for any reason other
than the reason described in subparagraph (i) of this Paragraph 6(b).

         c.    Due to Material Changes. If, whether prior to or subsequent to a
               -----------------------
"Change in Control", as hereinafter defined in Paragraph 6(g), Employee and
Sonic Foundry shall hereafter jointly determine:

         (i)   that Employee's status or responsibilities with Sonic Foundry has
or have been reduced, including but not limited to the assignment to Employee of
any duties, positions, responsibilities or tasks inconsistent with those
immediately prior to said reduction, or

         (ii)  that Sonic Foundry has materially failed to per form its
obligations hereunder, or

         (iii) that the financial prospects of Sonic Foundry have significantly
declined to a level where the future operations of Sonic Foundry would be
impaired,

         then Employee shall have the right to terminate his employment with
Sonic Foundry by written notice thereof.   In the event that Employee and Sonic
Foundry are unable to agree upon any determination pursuant to this Paragraph
6(c), an arbitrator, jointly selected by the parties, shall resolve the dispute.
In the event the parties are unable to agree upon an arbitrator, the arbitrator
shall be selected by two additional arbitrators, one of which shall be an
arbitrator selected by Sonic Foundry and the other of which shall be an
arbitrator selected by Employee.

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          d.  Voluntary (Pre Change in Control) or For Cause Termination
              ----------------------------------------------------------
Payments. In the event Employee's termination is for any reason set out in
--------
Paragraphs 6(a)(iii) above prior to a Change in Control or Paragraphs 6(a)(i) or
6(b)(i) above at any time, Employee shall not be entitled to any termination
payments or benefits other than salary and other accrued benefits earned up to
the date of termination.

          e.  Death/Disability Payments (Pre Change in Control) Termination
              -------------------------------------------------------------
Payments.  In the event Employee's termination is for any reason set out in
Paragraph 6(a)(ii) above prior to a Change in Control, Employee shall be
entitled to:

              (i)  salary and other accrued benefits earned up to the last day
of the month of the date of death or Date of Physical or Mental Disability (as
defined in Paragraph 8 hereof); and

              (ii) a lump sum termination payment equal to the highest yearly
              salary and bonus paid to Employee pursuant to Paragraph 5(a) in
              any year during the 3 years immediately subsequent to the year in
              which the death or disability occurs, and, if termination is due
              to disability, Employee shall also be entitled to the medical,
              health and insurance-related benefits as set forth in Paragraph
              5(b) hereof prior to and for one year following the date of
              disability.

          f.  Voluntary or Death/Disability (Post-Change in Control) or No Cause
              ------------------------------------------------------------------
 or Material Change Termination Payments. Upon a termination of Employee's
----------------------------------------
employment for any reason set out in Paragraphs 6(a)(ii) or 6(a)(iii) subsequent
to a Change in Control or upon a termination pursuant to the provisions of
Paragraph 6(b)(ii) or Paragraph 6(c) above at any time, Employee shall be
entitled to:

         (i) salary and other accrued benefits earned up to the last day of the
month in which employment was terminated;  and

         (ii)  a lump sum termination payment equal to three (3) times the
highest yearly salary and bonus paid to Employee pursuant to Paragraph 5(a) in
any year during the last three (3) years immediately prior to termination.
Employee shall also be entitled to the medical, health and insurance-related
benefits as set forth in Paragraph 5(b) hereof prior to and for three years
following the date of termination.

         g.  Change in Control.  For purposes of determining whether a "Change
             -----------------
in Control" has occurred, a "Change in Control" shall be defined as the
occurrence at any time during the Contract Term of any of the following events:

         (i)   A change in control of a nature that would have to be reported in
Sonic Foundry's proxy statement, if Sonic Foundry were required to have filed
proxy statements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange 5
Act");

         (ii)  Sonic Foundry is merged or consolidated or reorganized into or
with another corporation or other legal person and as a result of such merger,
consolidation or reorganization less than 75% of the outstanding voting
securities or other capital interests of the surviving, resulting or acquiring
corporation or other legal person are owned in the aggregate by the stockholders
of Sonic Foundry immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or
reorganization;

         (iii) Sonic Foundry sells all or substantially all of its business
and/or assets to any other corporation or other legal person, less than 75% of
the outstanding voting securities or other capital interests of which are owned
in the aggregate by the stockholders of Sonic Foundry, directly or indirectly,
immediately prior to or after such sale;

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         (iv)   Any person (as the term "person" is used in Section 13(d)(3) or
Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) has become the beneficial owner (as the
term "beneficial owner" is defined under Rule 13d-3 or any successor rule or
regulation promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 25% or more of the issued and
outstanding shares of voting securities of Sonic Foundry; or

         (v)   During any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at
the beginning of any such period constitute the directors of Sonic Foundry cease
for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof unless the election, or
the nomination or election by Sonic Foundry's stockholders, of each new director
of Sonic Foundry was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of such directors
of Sonic Foundry then still in office who were directors of Sonic Foundry at the
beginning of any such period.

     7.   Reserved.
          --------

     8.   Disability Definition. As used herein, "Physical or Mental Disability"
          ---------------------
shall mean a serious illness, accident or any other physical or mental
incapacity that prevents Employee from substantially performing his duties
hereunder for a continuous period of twelve months. The last day of any such
twelve (12) month period shall be Employee's "Date of Disability".

     9.   Termination Payments - Death. All payments to be made in the event of
          ----------------------------
the death of Employee shall be made to the Employee's surviving spouse, or in
the event the Employee dies without leaving a surviving spouse, then to such
beneficiary as the Employee may designate in writing to Sonic Foundry for that
purpose, or if Employee has not so designated, then to the personal
representative of the estate of Employee. This Paragraph 9 shall not be deemed a
limitation of Employee's benefits under any death or disability plan currently
in effect.

     10.  Reimbursement of Certain Costs. If litigation is brought to enforce or
          ------------------------------
interpret any provision contained in this Agreement, and if Employee prevails in
such litigation, Sonic Foundry agrees to indemnify Employee for his reasonable
attorneys' fees and disbursements incurred in such litigation, and hereby agrees
to pay prejudgment interest on any money judgment obtained by Employee
calculated at the prime rate of First National Bank of Chicago, in effect from
time to time from the date that payment(s) to him should have been made under
this Agreement; provided that Employee shall not have been found by the court to
have acted in bad faith, which finding must be final with the time to appeal
therefrom having expired and no appeal having been taken.

     11.  Sonic Foundry Successors. Sonic Foundry will require any successor
          ------------------------
(whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to
all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of Sonic Foundry, by
agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Employee, to expressly assume
and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent
that Sonic Foundry would be required to perform it if no such succession had
taken place. As used in this paragraph, Sonic Foundry shall mean Sonic Foundry,
Inc. and any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which executed
and delivers the agreement provided for this Paragraph 11, or which otherwise
becomes bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement by operation of
law.

     12.  Non-Competition.  Employee acknowledges that if he were to compete
          ---------------
with Sonic Foundry in the audio and/or video software development business, it
could cause serious harm to Sonic Foundry. During the Contract Term and if this
Agreement is terminated for any reason except pursuant to Paragraph 6(i)(ii)
Employee agrees that he will not own, operate, manage or control, be employed
by, whether as an employee or consultant, any entity or person engaged in the
business of developing marketing and/or distributing audio and/or video editing
and/or creating software within the continental United States for a period of
one (1) year from the time of Employee's termination of employment. This
covenant shall survive the termination of

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this Agreement and shall apply to any renewal or extension of employment.
Employee has carefully considered his obligations as stated herein and agrees
that the restrictions contained herein are fair and reasonable and are
reasonably required for the protection of Sonic Foundry.

     13. Injunctive Relief; Choice of Forum and Jurisdiction. Employee
         ---------------------------------------------------
understands that a breach of this Agreement will result in irreparable or
immeasurable damage to Sonic Foundry and that Sonic Foundry is authorized to
seek injunctive relief against Employee. Employee also consents to the exclusive
jurisdiction of the Dane County Circuit Courts or the Federal District Court for
the Western District of Wisconsin, both located in Madison, Wisconsin, as the
appropriate forums for resolution of any dispute arising from this Agreement,
including issuance of an injunction. Employee understands that this provision
regarding the issuance of an injunction does not limit any remedies at law or
equity otherwise available to Sonic Foundry.

     14.  Entire Agreement. No oral arrangements have been made between the
          ----------------
parties hereto and this Agreement may be amended only in writing signed by both
parties. This is the entire Agreement among the parties regarding the subject
matter hereof.

     15. Successors; Assigns.  The rights and obligations of Sonic Foundry under
         -------------------
this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon, the
successors and assigns of Sonic Foundry. Employee may not assign his obligations
under this Agreement.

     15. Severability.  If any provision of this
         ------------
Agreement shall be declared invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent
jurisdiction, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby and
shall continue in full force and effect.

     16. Controlling Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with
         ---------------
the internal laws of the State of Wisconsin.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have set their hands and seals as of the
day and year first above written.

EMPLOYEE                           SONIC FOUNDRY, INC.

____________________________       By: ________________________
Curtis J.Palmer                    Title: ______________________

                                       5<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.46

                             ****CONFIDENTIAL****
              R. Crouch Separation Agreement and Complete Release

                       CONFIDENTIAL SEPARATION AGREEMENT
                             AND COMPLETE RELEASE

WHEREAS, RESPIRONICS, INC. (hereinafter referred to as "RI") employed Robert D.
               Crouch (hereinafter referred to as "Separating Employee")
               pursuant to an employment agreement dated December 1, 1994 (the
               "Employment Agreement");

AND WHEREAS, RI and Separating Employee wish to resolve any and
               all matters between them relating to Separating Employee's
               employment with RI, or with any affiliates of RI, and the
               termination thereof.

NOW THEREFORE, Separating Employee and RI, each intending to be legally
          bound by, and in consideration of, the following mutual promises and
          covenants, do agree as follows:

I.        Separating Employee's last day of work with RI will be on October 13,
          2000. Thereafter, Separating Employee will cease accruing time or
          credit (vesting or otherwise) with respect to any type of RI-related
          benefit including, but not limited to, vacation, 401(k) plan, stock
          options, etc., and Separating Employee hereby waives any claim to the
          contrary.

II.       Future Payments and Benefits:

          A.   RI will pay Separating Employee (or his estate in the event
               Separating Employee passes away) an amount equal to $514,388.99.
               This amount will be paid out over a one-hundred and eleven (111)
               week period in fifty-five (55) payments of $9,268.27, paid bi-
               weekly, and one payment of $4,634.14. These payments represent
               separation pay, and RI will withhold appropriate federal, state,
               and local income taxes from these payments. RI will not withhold
               any amounts for any other benefit or program, except as expressly
               provided herein.

          B.   Separating Employee's company medical and dental insurance
               coverage ceases no later than the last day of November, 2002.
               Between October 31, 2000 and November 30, 2002, he may continue
               coverage for medical and dental, if he elects to do so. RI will
               participate in the payment of Separating Employee's medical and
               dental insurance premiums for coverage for a maximum period
               ending in November, 2002. The percentage RI contributes to such
               insurance premiums will be the same percentage it contributed in
               January, 2000. Separating Employee will be responsible for the
               same percentage of the premiums that he paid in January, 2000. By
               executing this Separation Agreement and Complete Release,
               Separating Employee authorizes RI to deduct from his separation
               payments sufficient funds to cover his portion of the monthly
               premium for these insurances. After November 30, 2002, Separating
               Employee will be offered COBRA.

               Separating Employee's Basic Life, Optional Life, and Dependent
               Life insurance will cease on October 13, 2000. Separating
               Employee will receive a MetLife Conversion Form to convert his
               group life benefits to a personal policy with MetLife Insurance
               Company. Conversion must be requested within 31 days from October
               13, 2000.

               If Separating Employee participated in the Flexible Spending
               Accounts, he should be aware of these important facts: his bi-
               weekly contributions stop effective October 13, 2000, and in
               order to request reimbursement from his Health Care Spending
               Account or Dependent Day Care Spending Account for 2000, he must
               have incurred the expenses

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                             ****CONFIDENTIAL****
              R. Crouch Separation Agreement and Complete Release

               prior to that date. Separating Employee will have until March 31,
               2001 to submit a claim requesting reimbursement on his flexible
               spending accounts for 2000, but his expenses must have been
               incurred no later than his last day worked. If Separating
               Employee has any questions about his benefits, he may contact
               Rosalie Carter in Human Resources.

          C.   Notwithstanding section II.B., if Separating Employee obtains
               employment which provides for company-sponsored medical or dental
               insurance benefits before November 30, 2002, Separating Employee
               has a choice to either (i) remain on the RI insurance benefit
               plans as described above or (ii) join the new company-sponsored
               insurance benefit plans. If Separating Employee elects to join
               the new company-sponsored insurance benefit plans, the medical
               and dental benefits described in section II.B shall immediately
               cease on the earlier of the date on which the new benefits become
               effective and November 30, 2002, provided that RI will pay to
               Separating Employee the difference, if any, between the premium
               Separating Employee paid under the RI plans and the portion of
               the premium due from Separating Employee under the new company-
               sponsored plan (up to a maximum of the monthly amount RI
               contributes on behalf of Separating Employee under the RI plans).
               These payments would cease as of November 30, 2002. If Separating
               Employee's new company-sponsored medical and dental insurances'
               benefits cease before November 30, 2002, RI will pay for
               Separating Employee's COBRA coverage under the new company-
               sponsored plan (up to a maximum of the monthly amount RI
               contributes on behalf of Separating Employee under the RI plans)
               until the earlier of 18 months after such COBRA coverage begins
               or November 30, 2002. Separating Employee understands and
               acknowledges that if he accepts employment which provides for
               company-sponsored medical or dental benefits, he will no longer
               be eligible for COBRA under RI's medical and dental insurance
               policies.

          D.   Separating Employee understands and acknowledges that any stock
               options granted to him under the Respironics, Inc. 1992 Stock
               Incentive Plan are exercisable only for the periods following the
               termination of employment specified in such plan and any related
               stock option agreements with the Separating Employee. Separating
               Employee's termination is considered to be a voluntary
               termination with the consent of RI for purposes of the applicable
               stock option plans.

          E.   RI will permit Separating Employee to retain the following items:
               (i) the mobile telephone system that is currently installed in
               his van; (ii) the facsimile equipment and Compaq personal
               computer that currently are installed in his home; (iii) The Palm
               Pilot and Wizard 8520 that he currently uses; and (iv) the
               Toshiba computer with docking station, keyboard and monitor that
               he currently uses in the office. All RI information must be
               removed from each of the above items, to the satisfaction of RI,
               before the items are given to Separating Employee. All costs
               associated with operating such items after Separating Employee's
               termination, including, but not limited to, software licenses,
               repairs, use time, hook ups, etc., shall be paid by Separating
               Employee.

III.      Separating Employee understands and agrees that neither RI nor any
          successor or affiliate of RI will be obligated in any way to provide
          him with future employment, compensation, and/or benefits, other than
          those provided herein, in any amount or for any reason. The above
          payments include an agreed-upon resolution of any and all payments due
          Separating Employee pursuant to all employment- or separation-related
          agreements and/or programs, which amounts were in dispute. This
          provision does not take away the rights of Separating Employee, as a
          former employee, under the provisions of RI's 401(k) Plan or Incentive
          Stock Option Plan as they relate to terminated employees. Moreover,
          nothing in this provision is intended to affect Separating

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                             ****CONFIDENTIAL****
              R. Crouch Separation Agreement and Complete Release

          Employee's rights as a shareholder, including his right to be elected
          as a director of RI and compensated therefor.

IV.       It is expressly understood and agreed that by entering into this
          Separation Agreement and Complete Release RI in no way admits that it
          has treated Separating Employee unlawfully or wrongfully in any way.
          Neither this Separation Agreement and Complete Release, nor the
          implementation thereof, shall be construed to be, or shall be
          admissible in any proceedings as, evidence of an admission by RI of
          any violation of, or failure to comply with, any federal, state or
          local law, ordinance, agreement, rule, regulation, or order. However,
          Separating Employee agrees that this section does not preclude
          introduction of this Separation Agreement and Complete Release by RI
          to establish that all of Separating Employee's claims were settled,
          compromised, and released according to the terms of this Agreement.

V.        In consideration for the items described in sections I through II,
          above, Separating Employee, on behalf of himself, his heirs,
          representatives, estates, successors and assigns, does hereby
          irrevocably and unconditionally remise, release and forever discharge
          RI, RI's parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, benefit plans, and their
          past, present and future officers, directors, trustees,
          administrators, agents and employees, as well as the heirs, successors
          and assigns of any of such persons or such entities, hereinafter
          separately and collectively called "Releasees", from all manner of
          suits, actions, causes of action, damages and claims (including, but
          not limited to, claims for attorneys fees and expenses), known and
          unknown, that he has, or may have, on behalf of himself or any entity,
          against any of the Releasees for any actions up to and including the
          date hereof and the continuing effects thereof. Except for the
          performance of the provisions of this Separation Agreement and
          Complete Release, it is the intention of Separating Employee to effect
          a general release of all such claims.

          This release includes, but is not limited to, claims which were
          asserted, could have been asserted, or could be asserted by Separating
          Employee, or on his behalf, arising out of his employment with RI or
          the termination thereof, including but not limited to, claims under
          the federal Age Discrimination In Employment Act of 1967, as amended,
          Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the
          Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, and other federal, state, and local
          statutes, ordinances, executive orders and regulations prohibiting
          age, race, sex, non-job-related disability and other types of
          discrimination, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
          as amended, and federal, state or local law claims of any kind.

VI.       Separating Employee acknowledges that as part of his duties, he had
          access to confidential and proprietary information and trade secrets,
          such as sources of supply, designs, data, processes, business plans
          and strategies, and know-how of RI. All knowledge and information he
          gained from these sources as well as the business, markets and trade
          secrets themselves, including all unpatented inventions, designs,
          know-how, trade secrets, technical information and data,
          specifications, blueprints, transparencies, test data and additions,
          modifications and improvements thereon which have been revealed to him
          shall for all time and for all purposes be regarded by him as strictly
          confidential and held in trust. Separating Employee will not reveal or
          disclose the confidential information, proprietary information or
          trade secrets to any other person, firm, corporation, company or
          entity. The parties acknowledge that, if a then-current director of RI
          requests Separating Employee to do work concerning RI, Separating
          Employee can assist the director by performing such work.

VII.      Separating Employee agrees that he has continuing obligations pursuant
          to the terms of the Employment Agreement and other confidentiality and
          similar agreements between RI and him. Separating Employee agrees to
          honor all obligations under these agreements.

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                             ****CONFIDENTIAL****
              R. Crouch Separation Agreement and Complete Release

VIII.     Separating Employee and RI agree that, except as required by law, the
          terms and conditions of this Separation and Complete Release Agreement
          will be kept completely confidential and will not be discussed,
          disclosed, or revealed, directly or indirectly, to any person,
          corporation, or other entity other than to Separating Employee's
          family and professional advisors consulted by Separating Employee to
          understand the interpretation, application, and legal effect of this
          Separation Agreement and Complete Release.

IX.       Separating Employee agrees to refrain from making any statements,
          claims, allegations or assertions against RI or its employees
          regarding the matters covered by this Separation Agreement and
          Complete Release.

X.        Separating Employee acknowledges that he has been given the
          opportunity to consider this Separation Agreement and Complete Release
          for at least twenty-one (21) days, which is a reasonable period of
          time, and that he has been advised to consult with an attorney in
          relation thereto, prior to executing this Separation Agreement and
          Complete Release. Separating Employee further acknowledges that he has
          had a full and fair opportunity to consult with an attorney and that
          he has carefully read and fully understands all of the provisions of
          this Separation Agreement and Complete Release and is voluntarily
          executing and entering into this Separation Agreement and Complete
          Release, intending to be legally bound thereby.

XI.       For a period of seven (7) days following the execution of this
          Separation Agreement and Complete Release, Separating Employee may
          revoke this Separation Agreement and Complete Release by delivery of a
          written notice revoking the same, within that seven-day period, to the
          attention of William R. Decker at RI. This Separation Agreement and
          Complete Release shall not become effective or enforceable until that
          seven-day revocation period has expired. Once that (7) day period has
          expired, this Separation Agreement and Complete Release will be
          forever enforceable.

XII.      The parties hereto further understand, covenant, and agree that the
          terms and conditions of this Separation Agreement and Complete Release
          constitute the full and complete understandings, agreements, and
          arrangements of the parties and that there are no agreements,
          covenants, promises or arrangements other than those set forth or
          expressly referenced herein. Any subsequent alteration in, or variance
          from, any term or condition of this Separation Agreement and Complete
          Release shall be effective only if executed in writing and signed by
          Separating Employee and an authorized representative of RI.

XIII.     This Separation Agreement and Complete Release shall be governed by
          Pennsylvania law, without regard to choice of law principles.

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                             ****CONFIDENTIAL****
              R. Crouch Separation Agreement and Complete Release

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the aforesaid parties, having read this Separation Agreement
and Complete Release and intending to be legally bound hereby, have caused this
Separation Agreement and Complete Release to be executed as of this 12 day of
October, 2000.

FOR RESPIRONICS, INC.

By: William R. Decker                        Robert D. Crouch

/s/ William R. Decker                    /s/ Robert D. Crouch
--------------------------------         -----------------------------------
         (signature)                               (signature)

                                         Sworn to and subscribed before me this

                                         12/th/ day of October, 2000.
                                         ------        --------

                                         /s/ Linda L. Farren
                                         ----------------------------
                                                Notary Public

                                         My Commission Expires: June 25, 2001
                                                               ----------------

                ----------------------------------------------
                                 Notarial Seal
                        Linda L. Farren, Notary Public
                      Forest Hills Boro, Allegheny County
                      My Commission Expires June 25, 2001
                ----------------------------------------------
                 Member, Pennsylvania Association of Notaries

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                                                                        R.D.C.
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Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00020-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00020-of-00352.parquet"}]]