American Welding Society Mourns the Loss of Dennis K. Eck
Eck was 2023 AWS president.
AWS and the welding community mourn the sudden passing of 2023 AWS President Dennis K. Eck.
Dennis was a distinguished AWS member for over 30 years, working within the AWS Houston Section and taking on increasingly significant roles within the Society. He was the AWS Houston Section Chairman from 1989 – 2021, AWS Director at Large from 2016 – 2018, AWS Vice President 2019 – 2022, and was inducted as the 2023 AWS President earlier this year. Dennis was also a valuable contributor to the AWS Membership Committee since 2002.
His AWS honors and awards include AWS Houston Section Meritorious in 2004, District 18 Meritorious in 2005, and AWS Distinguished Member in 2017. A deeply faith-filled man, he honored the AWS by organizing the annual AWS Prayer Breakfast at FABTECH from 2017-2019 and was its speaker in 2014. He will be posthumously honored as an AWS Life Member for his 35 years of service at this year’s FABTECH in Chicago, IL.
Dennis serviced the welding supply industry for 41 years within the Texas/Louisiana/Oklahoma/New Mexico markets. He had a broad background in the gas and welding supply industry with general management, sales and marketing, business development, distribution and plant operations experience.
Dennis was partner and VP of Sales for 10 years with National Alloy & Equipment in the Houston market and was instrumental in its sale to Praxair in August of 2011. He remained as General Sales Manager and Business Development at Linde/Praxair until his retirement in 2020. At the time of his passing, he was President and Owner of Diversified Services & Solutions, LLC.
Dennis was an enthusiastic advocate for mentoring and leading our youth toward a bright future within the industry. His focus as AWS President was on generational differences and preserving institutional knowledge by connecting the generations in new and unique ways.
“As we seek ways to connect across all generations,” he has stated, “there is a common theme of values that matters most to workers of every age and can be applied to the welding industry: Recognize, but do not dwell on, differences.”
He was actively involved with SkillsUSA, AG Mechanics San Antonio and Houston, along with the Craft Training Center in Corpus Christi. He and his wife Robin also established the Dennis K. & Robin Eck - Houston Section Scholarship through the AWS Foundation which provides a $5,250 scholarship each year.
He was respected and beloved by the welding community. Those who knew him praised his leadership style, his ability to “listen and make you feel valued,” and his genuine and easygoing manner. Dennis was regarded as a true professional who led by example.
All of AWS expresses their sincerest condolences to his wife, Robin, their daughters, Allison and Abigail, and extended family.
For more information, visit the American Welding Society’s website at aws.org.
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