Frank Eck

ECK Frank Eck, age 84, of Upper Arlington, OH, died Thursday, December 13, 2007 at The Ohio State University Medical Center. He was born and raised in Red Bank, NJ and a graduate of Red Bank Catholic High School where he is 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 the 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 Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. as Vice-President of Sales and Marketing. Over the past thirty years, Frank, Chairman and CEO, has taken ADS from a small regional manufacturer for the agricultural market to the world's largest producer of engineered plastic drainage pipe. 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. 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 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. 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 a.m. Monday, December 17, 2007 at St. Andrew's Catholic Church, 1899 Mc Coy 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. "Sign the online guestbook at www.dispatch.com/obituaries"