Dr. J. Don Brock, Chairman and former CEO of Astec Industries Inc. passed away Tuesday at Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga, TN, at the age of 76 from mesothelioma cancer, which he was diagnosed with in 2012.
"We announce this news with great sadness, and our thoughts and prayers are with Don's family at this difficult time," Vice President of Administration Stephen C. Anderson said. "Don was an inspirational leader, mentor and friend to countless customers and employees of Astec."
Dr. Brock was born in Chattanooga on October 20, 1938, to the late James and Edna Brock and was preceded in death by his sister, Edith Brock Murray. He graduated from Central High School in 1957 and received a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville in 1961. He then continued his education at the Georgia Institute of Technology receiving a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 1963 and a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering in 1965.
He started his working career building thermal hot oil heaters and asphalt storage tanks with his dad while in high school. He invented a revolutionary carpet dryer while at Georgia Tech which gave him the seed money to start Astec Industries. He founded Astec with Norm Smith, Al Guth, Gail Mize, and Mike Uchytil in 1972. The company is now publicly traded, has sales of approximately $1 billion dollars, and has over 4,000 employees worldwide.
According to the TimesFreePress.com out of Chattanooga, TN, Dr. Brock pushed Congress to pass a highway bill that would allow construction companies to plan for the future, and he was a poster child for the made-in-America movement.
For his efforts, Dr. Brock won awards from associations ranging from manufacturing groups to engineer clubs. He was a recipient of numerous awards including "Man of the Year" from the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA), "Academy of Distinguished Engineering Alumni" from The Georgia Institute of Technology, "Dougherty Award" from the University of Tennessee, the "ARTBA Top 100 Private Sector Transportation Construction Professionals of the 20th Century," and the "Dr. J. Don Brock Transovation Award" from the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA).
Mentoring others and exchanging ideas came naturally to Dr. Brock. He is famous for his repertoire of jokes and his great sense of humor. Besides spending time with his family and friends, other interests included the University of Tennessee football and his dogs, Riley and Bentley.
Dr. Brock is survived by his wife, Sam; seven children: Beth Brock; Ben Brock (Carolyn); Walter Brock (Lee Ann) ; Jennifer Brock; Darryl Brock (Melissa); Melissa Adcock (Dustin); Krystal Parker (Lloyd); his two stepdaughters: Christie Gleeson (Tim) and Devin Sprouse (Tammy Lambert), 15 grandchildren, Garrison, Pierce, Payton, Daxton, Clay, Zachary, Austin, Katie, Haven, Taylor, Ashley, Hannah, Daniel, Jacob and Sarahbeth.
In 2013, the Astec Board of Directors approved a management succession plan. On January 1, 2014 Benjamin G. Brock became president and CEO and Richard J. Dorris assumed the role of executive vice president and COO. W. Norman Smith, a founder of the company and Board member since 1982, continues to serve as Vice Chairman.
Visit www.heritagefh.com to share words of comfort to the family.
