Richard Eckman

Richard Eckman
October 13, 1927 - November 27, 2008
East Amana, Iowa
Funeral Service: 10:30 am December 01, 2008 at St. John's Lutheran Church - Homestead
East Amana- Richard E. Eckman passed away peacefully Thursday, November 27, 2008 at his home surrounded by his family, after a courageous battle with cancer at the age of 81 years. Richard was born October 13, 1927 in Aurora, Illinois, the son of Realand and Eleanor (Waddell) Eckman. He grew up and attended school in Marshalltown, Iowa. Richard has lived in the Amanas since 1944. He was united in marriage to Bertina Trimpe on October 26, 1947 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids. Richard worked for Amana Refrigeration nearly 40 years, retiring in 1989. He also owned Eckman Signs, a local sign painting business. He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church near Homestead, a charter member of the Amana Heritage Society and the Amana Sportsmen's Club, a member of the Amana Arts Guild, and was a volunteer fireman for 30 years. Richard had many interests, including hunting, fishing, Boy's Weekends, traveling, wood carving, cooking and fixing just about anything. However, his most important role was that of loving husband, father and grandfather, affectionately known as "Popper". > > He is survived by his wife Bertina of East Amana; three children: Charles (Patricia) Eckman of Nampa, Idaho, Cynthia (Roger) Gelinas of New Gloucester, Maine and Joel (Judy) Eckman of Iowa City, Iowa; five grandchildren: Nicholas, Alicia, Matthew, Kristin and Jody Eckman and a brother: Harold (Lucille) Eckman of Amana. Richard was preceded in death by his parents. > > Celebration of Life Service will be 10:30 am Monday, December 1, 2008 at St. John's Lutheran Church near Homestead. Pastor Wayne Woolery will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 2:00 to 6:00 pm at the Uhlmann-Powell Funeral Home in Williamsburg. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church or Essence of Life Hospice. Messages and tributes may be sent to www.powellfuneralhomes.com under obituaries. >