Pump veteran Steve Leech passes on

The long time Eekels Pumps project manager Steve Leech passed away on 3 April. He had been ill with cancer.

Steve was widely liked and respected in Europe’s pump community. He joined Netherlands pump specialist Eekels in 1980 and worked there for more than 34 years, becoming project manager. He left Eekels to join pump manufacturer Hidrostal in 2014, and worked there for two years before establishing his own business, MPS (Mobile Pump System).

His family posted the following statement on LinkedIn; ”With great sadness, we announce that our husband, father and grandfather died of cancer on the night of 3 April.

”Steve worked for Eekels Pumps BV for over 40 years with passion and pure commitment. In recent years, he had been doing this as an independent. We will miss him very much.

”Thank you to everyone for the heartwarming messages of support we have received.”

Pieter Molmans, Managing Director of Eekels Pompoen, told IRN; ”It was a privilege that I could work with him for the last five years with Eekels, learning a lot from him. The man literally breathed pumps.

”But most of all he was a hell of a guy - charming, full of energy, and with a clear mind. He hated pretentious people, and always stood for what he thought was best for the company.

”He has completed his journey a little sooner than he wanted, because he had some great plans for Eekels in the future. It is very sad that we can’t discuss matters any more.

”But, to be honest, he had a great life, saw everything in the world, and was a great story teller. You had some great times and big laughs with him when he was telling his stories, and I only heard 5% of it. A novelist could write a bestseller if he could write them all down.

”I have and will always keep very fond memories of him. A deep bow and hats off to this man.”

Among the other tributes, Simon Ruffles, founder and owner of DXB Pumps, said; ”A wonderful family man, superb pump man and will be greatly missed. Rest in peace Steve and condolences to all the family.”