BARNESTON, Neb.—Allan D. Feit, a former chair of the ACS Rubber Division who worked as a compounder at Goodyear and Patch Rubber, has died.
Feit, 65, passed away on Nov. 26 at Bryan Health hospital East in Lincoln, Neb. He served as chair of the Rubber Division in 2008 and worked at Goodyear, both in Nebraska and in Akron, as well as Patch Rubber Co. in Weldon, N.C.
Feit had a long, distinguished career in the Rubber Division. He started his progression to the chair position in 2003, when he became assistant treasurer.
He also served as treasurer (2005-06), chair-elect (2007), chair (2008) and past chair (2009). He served on the Steering and Executive Committees as directors' representative-elect in 2001 and as the directors' representative in 2002.
He also served on the Executive Committee as an area director for the Midwestern Rubber Group from 1996-2001.
“Al was dedicated to the Rubber Division and the rubber industry,” said Ed Miller, the Rubber Division's executive director. “He was also a great friend. Al was always cheerful, professional, funny at times and a pleasure to be around. He made board meetings more fun.”
Feit spent 18 years on the Finance and Budget Committee, last serving in 2015. He also spent a decade on the Meeting Sites Committee and Exhibits Committee, as well as nine years on the Steering Committee.
“He was a super guy, really a people person,” said Dick Hupp, a friend of Feit and former Rubber Division chair in 2002. “He was a really good, extruded materials compounder.”
According to Hupp, Feit and his wife, Chris, returned to his native Nebraska around a year ago.
Feit was born in Beatrice, Neb., and was a 1969 graduate of Southern High School in the state. After earning his bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, he taught for a few years before joining the rubber industry.
Feit was ascending up the ladder of the Rubber Division committee hierarchy just as Hupp was winding down his Rubber Division career. Hupp said Feit was good to work with, always willing to try things.
“He wasn't a negative person,” he said.
When he was chair, Feit presented Hupp a Distinguished Service Award in April 2008 at the Rubber Division's spring meeting, held that year in Dearborn Mich.
“Having (served as a volunteer for the Rubber Division), it takes a lot of time, effort and commitment,” he said. “Commitment is a big word. At the same time, you have to do the job because employer isn't paying you to volunteer for the rubber division.”
Feit is survived by his wife of 36, years, Chris and two sons, John Feit and Nathan Peterson. According to his obituary, Feit also owned a consulting firm, Alf Consulting.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, Nov. 30 at Wymore Presbyterian Church.
A memorial fund has been set up to benefit the Blue Springs Volunteer Fire Department and the Beatrice Humane Society.