Fund manager Derek van Eck, 46, dies unexpectedly

Derek van Eck, chief investment officer at Van Eck Associates Corporation, died unexpectedly Wednesday night, according to a statement issued by the company. Mr. van Eck, who was 46 years-old, also served as principal, director and was a portfolio manager of the Van Eck Global Hard Assets Fund Ticker:(GHAAX). Shawn Reynolds, who heads Van Eck's energy investment team, and Charles Cameron, director of trading, will take over Mr. van Eck's portfolio management duties. The company did not disclose the cause of death, and the firm is not commenting beyond the release, said Chris Sullivan, a spokesman for Van Eck. Mr. van Eck's father, John van Eck, founded the company in 1955. He is survived by wife Deborah S. van Eck; two children, Willem J. van Eck and Kathryn M. van Eck; his parent; his brother Jan van Eck, who continues as principal of Van Eck Associates; and his sister-in law, Cynthia van Eck.