ADS Mourns Loss of Chairman, Frank Eck
Hilliard, Ohio - December 14, 2007: It is with profound sadness that Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (ADS) announces that it's Chairman of the Board and long-time friend, Frank Eck, passed away December 13, 2007 from complications following open heart surgery. He was 84.
Originally born and raised in Red Bank, NJ, Frank was a graduate of Red Bank Catholic High School and a member of their Hall of Fame. Frank was the son of Vincent J., an architect, and Anna May (Mahoney) Eck. In 1944, he earned a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Notre Dame, where he was a member of their track team. Upon graduation, Frank enlisted in the U.S. Navy serving as a Lt. j.g. aboard a landing ship tank in the Amphibious Forces. Following the war, Frank was accepted and graduated from the Harvard School of Business in 1949. He began his business career in the petrochemical industry in the 1950's with such companies as American Cyanamid Co., Cosden Petrochemical Co. and Celanese Plastics Co., where he was a former Vice-President and General Manager.
In 1973, Frank joined ADS as Vice-President of Sales and Marketing. Over the past thirty years, Frank has taken ADS from a small regional manufacturer for the agricultural market to the world's largest producer of corrugated high-density polyethylene (HDPE) drainage pipe. "There is no adequate way to describe Frank's contributions to ADS and our industry," stated Joseph A. Chlapaty, President and Chief Executive Officer of ADS. "Through his strong leadership, ADS has become a name recognized around the world. His love of Notre Dame is legendary and his philanthropic endeavors have provided a tremendous legacy for all of his family and colleagues."
Among Frank's philanthropic endeavors, he was the principal benefactor at the University of Notre Dame with the current construction of Eck Hall of Law, set to open Spring of 2009; the Eck Tennis Center and Baseball Stadium and the Eck Center at Notre Dame, which houses the book store, national alumni headquarters and Visitors' Center. He also was a strong supporter of Bishop Watterson High School and St. Andrew's Parish in Columbus, Red Bank Catholic High School, Red Bank, NJ and the Women's Care Center in Mishawaka, IN. Among his awards, Frank received the Sorin Award from Notre Dame, recognizing distinguished alumnus and he has been a member of the Advisory Council for the College of Engineering for the past fifteen years.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Bryce Leavitt Eck in 1999. Frank is survived by his daughters and son-in-law, Candy and Ron Kinder, of Dublin, OH and Kelly Eck, of Raleigh, NC; sons, Frank E. Eck, Jr. and Daniel L. Eck, both of Columbus, OH; grandchildren, Brooks, Austin and Cory Anna Kinder, Bryce and Daniel Brooks, Kevin (Sara), Michael, Jon, Bailey and Brooke Bowman and many, many loving friends.
Friends may call 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Sunday, December 16, 2007 at Schoedinger Northwest Chapel, 1740 Zollinger Road. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 a.m. Monday, December 17, 2007 at St. Andrew's Catholic Church, 1899 McCoy Road at Reed Road with Fr. Michael Watson Celebrant. Interment to follow St. Joseph Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Bryce Eck Center, c/o St. Andrews Parish, 1899 McCoy Road, Columbus, OH 43220 or to The Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital at The Ohio State University, 452 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, in his memory.
About Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.
Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (ADS), is the world's largest producer of HDPE corrugated plastic pipe. Founded in 1966, it serves the storm water drainage industry through a global network of over 42 domestic and international manufacturing plants and over 30 distribution centers. In addition to its flagship N-12® pipe, the company offers a complete line of fittings and other accessories including StormTech® stormwater chambers, Nyloplast® drainage structures and various Geotextiles. To learn more about ADS, log on to www.ads-pipe.com, or call 800-733-7473.
ADS Chairman Frank Eck (1923-2007)
For more information, please contact:
Ms. Tori Durliat
Marketing Communications Manager,
ADS
401 Olive Street,
Findlay,
Ohio 45840
Phone: 1-800-537-9520
Fax: 1-419-424-8302
E-mail: tdurliat@hancor.com
