Ross Wade Fasick

1933 - 2017

Ross Wade Fasick

AGE: 84 • Greenville, DE formerly of Chadds Ford, PA

Ross Wade Fasick was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on March 27, 1933 and passed away on Sunday, July 16, 2017. He attended public primary and secondary schools and graduated from John Harris High School in Harrisburg in 1951. He graduated from Lebanon Valley College in 1955 with a BS in Chemistry. He married Betty Lehmer, his childhood sweetheart, in 1954. After earning a PhD in Organic Chemistry from the University of Delaware in 1959, Dr. Fasick joined the DuPont Company as a research chemist at the Jackson Lab in Deepwater, New Jersey.

During the 60's and 70's, Ross moved through various supervisory and middle management positions in research, manufacturing, marketing and general business management, and in 1977 he was appointed Vice President of DuPont Brazil. The following year, he became President and General Manager of the Brazilian Subsidiary.

In 1981, Ross and Betty moved from Sao Paulo, Brazil to Coral Gables, Florida where he assumed responsibility for DuPont operations in all of Latin America. Ross returned to Wilmington, Delaware in late 1982 and was appointed Director of Finishes, with responsibility for the company's billion dollar paint business. He was instrumental in the restructuring of the Coatings business in the late 1980s and led the negotiating team acquiring the Ford Motor Company Coatings business.

Ross Fasick was promoted to Vice President - Automotive Products in 1987 and moved to DuPont's Automotive world headquarters in Troy, Michigan. The following year, he was made Senior VP - Automotive Products and in 1992 became Senior Executive VP - Polymers and Automotive Products world-wide, with responsibility for over five billion in the DuPont business. Ross retired in 1994, at age 62, after 34 years of service with DuPont. His Dupont work family and friends remained a most integral part of his life for many years.

From 1988 to 1992, while residing in Michigan, Ross was a member of the Visiting Committee of the School of Business, University of Michigan. During the late 80's and early 90's, he was a member of the Advisory Council of the Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Delaware.

From the early 90's he served on the Board of Trustees of Lebanon Valley College and in 1997 became Chairman of the Board, serving through 2010. In 1997, Betty and Ross made a contribution to LVC to build the College's signature Fasick Bridge, a footbridge crossing over PA SR 934 in the heart of the Annville, PA campus. Today, the Fasick Bridge will stand proudly to serve this community in his memory.

After retiring from DuPont, Ross became an active volunteer at The Independence School, beginning with his role as Santa Claus. He sat on the Board of Trustees from 1996 until 2005, serving as Vice President, Development Committee Chair, Endowment Committee Chair and was a member of the Finance Committee. Upon completion of his Board term, he then served on the Advisory Committee. Ross' commitment to education, and especially to the education of his grandchildren, was unwavering. He believed deeply in The Independence School's mission and was dedicated to supporting it. All seven of his grandchildren are graduates of The Independence School, where the Fasick Gallery now stands as a testament to his passion for education.

Ross accepted an appointment to the Board of Directors for Lightwave Logic, Inc., a technology company focused on the development of electro-optic polymer materials for applications in high-speed fiber-optic telecommunications and optical computing.

Ross was an avid golfer, a Philadelphia sports fan and enjoyed fly fishing with his friends and family. He held a deep appreciation for investment analysis, and his favorite place on earth was The Arnold Fish and Game Preserve, a natural sanctuary in the Canadian mountains affectionately known as "The Bog." His most prized possessions were his grandchildren, and most of his free time since retirement was spent assisting his family with the transporting of grandchildren to school, sports and extracurriculars.

Ross is survived by his wife of 64 years, Betty Lehmer Fasick, his son Steven Ross Fasick and Patty, his daughter Lisa J. F. Ramone and Michael, and seven grandchildren; Christopher Fasick and Anita, Brittany Ramone Gomez and Ray, Moira Kostes and Rick, Ross Ramone, Ryan Fasick, Kevin Fasick, Nicholas Ramone and three great grandchildren; Madison Fasick, Benjamin and James Kostes.

A Memorial Service will be held at noon on Thursday, July 20 at LOWER BRANDYWINE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 101 Old Kennett Pike, Greenville, DE 19807.

Ross was a true leader, and a mentor to so many. He was often sought out for his wise counsel, depth of knowledge in so many topics and his optimistic spirit. He was a gentle man with a huge heart and a passion for many philanthropic causes.

In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the Alzheimer's Association and help to find a cure for this sad and debilitating disease.

To send an online condolence visit www.nicholsgilmore.com.