R. Frank Ecock

Raymond Frank Ecock, age 76, formerly of Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, Jensen Beach, Florida and Bluffton, South Carolina died at his home in South Carolina on December 30, 2011. He was a devoted husband for 52 years to Dolores (Conseal), father of Pam and Tony, grandfather to Griffin, Beckett and Paxton and father-in-law to Chris and Laura. He is survived by his sisters Elizabeth Pcolinski, Catherine Connelly, and Mildred Seeds and brother Richard J. Ecock and 12 beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother John Ecock and his sister Noretta Mellinger. Frank lived a wonderful life filled with family, friends and many personal and professional accomplishments. Frank was born in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania where his parents ran the Columbia Hotel and then the Gateway Pharmacy. He graduated from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy & Sciences (now called University of Sciences) in 1958 with a BS in Pharmacy. Shortly after graduating, he joined Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) in West Point, Pennsylvania as a Laboratory Technician. He worked for 33 years at Merck retiring in 1991 as Vice President of North American Operations. He is a past Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PMA). Throughout his life, he was a mentor to countless individuals and believed what you accomplished is far less important than the impact you have made on the people in your life. After retiring from Merck, Frank founded RFE, Inc. where he continued to work with pharmaceutical companies and other startups around the world. He served on the Boards of Sacred Heart Hospital, Valley Center, Northwestern Corporation, GeoFossil Fuels, Tunnell, The Water Company, IROKO Cardio, and Iverson Genetics. From 1984 to 1990, Frank taught pharmaceutical manufacturing and operations at the University of Sciences which recently recognized his contributions by awarding him an Honorary Doctorate in Science. Frank was an avid fisherman and golfer. He especially loved surf fishing on Cape Hatteras and Nantucket. He loved playing golf with his close friends at Center Square Golf Club in Center Square, PA where a tree will be planted in his honor on the 18th hole. His legacy of 76 years will live on through his family, friends and business associates. A Memorial Service will be held at St. Gregory the Great, 333 Fording Island Rd, Bluffton, SC on Friday, January 13th at 11AM. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Arnold Palmer Medical Center Foundation, 3160 Southgate Commerce Blvd. Suite 50, Orlando, FL 32806 in the name of Frank Ecock.