Whereas
Eric Nord, an Amherst, Ohio, native was born on November 8, 1917;
Whereas
Eric Nord graduated from Amherst High School in 1935 and received a bachelor of
science in mechanical engineering from the Case Institute of Technology, now
known as Case Western Reserve University;
Whereas
Eric Nord co-founded Ohio-based Nordson Corporation with his father and
brother;
Whereas
Eric Nord served as President of Nordson Corporation from 1954 to 1974,
Chairman and CEO from 1974 to 1983, Chairman of the Board of Directors from
1983 to 1997, and Chairman Emeritus from 1997 to 2008;
Whereas
Eric Nord was awarded 25 United States patents;
Whereas
Eric Nord oversaw the early growth of Nordson Corporation from a local business
with less than $1,000,000 in annual sales to a multinational corporation with
annual sales of $121,000,000;
Whereas
Eric Nord’s creativity and vision merited numerous honors and awards, including
an honorary doctorate of science from Oberlin College and the Case Alumni
Association Gold Medal Award in recognition of outstanding technical
innovation, successful business management, and dedicated public
service;
Whereas
Eric Nord established the Nord Family Foundation, the Nordson Corporation
Foundation, the Community Foundation of Greater Lorain County, and the Eric and
Jane Nord Foundation;
Whereas
the charitable work of Eric Nord contributed more than $100,000,000 to worthy
causes;
Whereas
Eric Nord was a strong advocate for civil rights, fighting to establish fair
housing practices for minorities in Oberlin, Ohio, during the 1960s;
Whereas
Eric Nord was a beloved member of the community, philanthropist, husband, and
father;
Whereas
Eric Nord was an advocate for education, the arts, and social services;
and
Whereas
Ohio has lost an exemplary citizen and innovator with the passing of Eric Nord
on June 19, 2008: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate honors the life and
recognizes the accomplishments of Eric Nord, a civic-minded business leader,
compassionate humanitarian, and dedicated family man.