Frank Stiebel was born Nov. 8, 1957, in Gottingen, Germany, and moved to Massachusetts in 1981 to study architecture and design at Hampshire College. In 1988, Frank had a daughter, Ellie, and made Northampton, Massachusetts, his permanent home.

In 1990, Stiebel established Stiebel Eltron Inc., the American division of Stiebel Eltron, the company his father founded in Berlin in 1924.

Credited with launching the first on-demand hot water heater, today the Stiebel Eltron Group is the largest manufacturer of electric water heaters in Germany and has moved into global markets. The company says a Stiebel Eltron appliance is put into service every 15 seconds.

In the United States, Frank Stiebel grew the company to employ 46 people and established presences throughout North and South America and the Caribbean. While running the U.S. operation, Stiebel continued as co-owner of the family-owned Stiebel Eltron Group. He was a member of the supervisory board and focused on the strategic orientation of the company to create renewable energy products. The company manufactures tankless electric water heaters, tank water heaters, heat pumps & ventilation systems, and hand dryers. It also offers solar thermal water heating and instanthot water systems.

The board of directors of the worldwide Stiebel Eltron Group, following Stiebel’s wishes, appointed Jonathan Walsh, the company’s long-standing vice president, to the role of Stiebel Eltron USA’s new president.

Stiebel was quirky, thoughtful, and philanthropic, and was noted for his sense of humor. He embodied an interesting mix of business professionalism and down to earth sensibility. He was passionate about many things, including zeppelins, alternative energy, science fiction, and psychedelic music.

A memorial service was held in Massachusetts on May 24. He will be profoundly missed by family, friends and business associates. His professional legacy will continue not only within the business that he built, but in homes across America who will benefit from his vision for decades to come.

Southern PHC had the honor of speaking with Frank Stiebel on numerous occasions over the years about the latest innovations from Stiebel Eltron. His knowledge and passion for excellence were always apparent. Beyond appreciating the time he took to educate, we always enjoyed our interactions with him and his team on a personal level. Southern PHC extends our sincere condolences to all of his family, friends and business associates.