ADS Mourns Loss of Chairman

Dec. 17, 2007
Frank Eck, 84, remembered for his industry dedication, philanthropy

It is with profound sadness that Advanced Drainage Systems (ADS) announces the death of its chairman of the board, Frank Eck. Eck passed away Dec. 13 from complications following open heart surgery. He was 84.

Originally born and raised in Red Bank, N.J., Eck earned his B.S. is chemical engineering at the University of Notre Dame, enlisted in the U.S. Navy upon graduation and finished post-graduate schooling at the Harvard School of Business in 1949.

Eck launched his business career in the petrochemical industry with companies including Cyanamid Co., Cosden Petrochemical Co. and Celanese Plastics Co., where he served as a vice president and general manager.

In 1973, Eck joined ADS as vice president of sales and marketing. Over the past thirty years, he has taken the company from a small regional manufacturer for the agricultural market to the world's largest producer of corrugated high-density polyethylene pipe. "There is no adequate way to describe Frank's contributions to ADS and our industry," said Joseph A. Chalapaty, ADS' president and chief executive officer. "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 for the current construction of Eck Hall of Law, the Eck Tennis Center and Baseball Stadium and the Eck Center at Notre Dame, which houses the bookstore, national alumni headquarters and visitor's center. He was also a strong supporter of Bishop Watterson High School and St. Andrew's Parish in Columbus, Ohio; Red Bank Catholic High School; and the Women's Care Center in Mishawaka, Ind.

Source: ADS

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