William R. Eckhardt
I was deeply saddened to learn of Bill’s passing. A friend sent me an email this morning of the obituary in the Press-Citizen. I then went to the Cedar Rapids Gazette online to verify it. It is at these times that I am sorry to be living so far away from my beloved Iowa. I will always remember the persistent kindness that Bill extended to me when my father Lyle Eckhardt died in 1986. I was in Iowa City cleaning out his home on Franklin Street, and Bill was so caring and kept checking in on me during that week to see if I needed anything, etc., stopping by almost every day after work. At that time I was having a lot of trouble getting my father’s car to run. That was when I learned how talented Bill was in “fixing” things. I have thought of that many times through the years since then. He even took such a liking to my dad’s old 71 Rambler that he bought it! Today I would say he carried on the Eckhardt tradition very well, as I have learned so much about the Eckhardt family line since retiring to Florida in 1999. We exchanged Christmas cards for many years, and I very much enjoyed being able to keep in touch with him. But sadly I had not heard from him in the last few years, so I wanted to pass on this memory that I have of Bill. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time. I would very much enjoy communicating with any of Bill’s family, and would also be happy to share the genealogy that I have. May God be with you all, Ruth Eckhardt Myers 1889 Winding Oaks Way Naples, FL 34109 239-596-5965
Ruth Eckhardt Myers
Naples
FL
As Bill’s older cousin, I watched him growing up on the farm and can picture him now – a tall, skinny, string bean of a kid running never walking barefoot across the farmyard. We saw each other on a sporadic basis over the years and kept track of each other through our parents. I called Bill in May, just as cancer was being diagnosed; we then connected with weekly telephone calls while his health permitted. I delighted in those conversations. Bill could talk about almost anything. We talked about the various career paths we’d taken, a mutual love of the outdoor world and our shared history. I kept trying to find a story from our past that he didn’t remember but I never succeeded! Bill had the same prodigious memory as his father and often had me laughing as he produced one story after another. Like others, I was impressed with his courage, tenacity and generosity. He never gave up and never wanted sympathy. He just wanted to enjoy each day he was given. Peace be with you.
Penny Crook
Beddgelert
- Other -
UK
Lois, I have good memories of growing up with you folks up the road from Gramma and Grampa. Bill was an ornery guy when we were little but it sounds like he has gone on to make a good life for himself. Hopefully he was still a little ornery. I was so sorry to hear of his passing and want you all to know you and his family are in Dad's and my prayers. I am sorry that we wont be able to attend the funeral.
Mary & Harold Blumenstein
North Liberty
IA
To Lois and Jan- You have our sincere sympathies at the death of your beloved Bill. I have been a neighbor only in the last while but the Brennemans I now belong to grew up with Bill and I've heard lots of growing up stories like Harold bringing Bill home from Franklin school. You have neighbors who care about you, Lois. With prayers- Diane
Diane Zaerr Brenneman
Wellman
IA
I'm Dennis O'Toole, and bill was my stepdad. i only knew bill for the 8 years that my mom was married to him. yet in that short time i learned more from him than perhaps any other person. during the period from when i graduated HS until his death, he in essence was my dad. he taught me to NEVER GIVE UP. he taught me to "get after it". that if i wanted something in life, then i must go and get it. bill gave me a sense of direction. he was a mentor, and a father figure. i will remember the jokes in the kitchen in Swisher. the talks that we would have out on the porch. i will remember throwing the football. i will remember him teaching me about just life in general, and drawing from his experiences. i will remember the day trips that we would take on the weekend all around iowa. as i write this it has been almost two years since his death. i will still see sights, sounds, and smells that remind me of him. things like BBQ,wood burning, freshly cut grass,and jensen transport trucks as i head to kirkwood each day. i always look for truck #483 or 443 because that was his truck#. my stepdad was the ultimate handyman. he could fix anything. he had a wealth of knowledge about many subjects. the old saying goes, "never judge a book by the cover". well that certainly applies here. when i met bill for the first time the first thing that came into my mind was the word "redneck". but after i got to know him i found out that he was an amazing person. that he was a PACKERS!! fan just like me, and that he impacted my life probably more than any other person. and that includes my biological father. my mom and bill and i did more together as a family than most people know. in the hours before he died i was pacing in the hospital. i knew it was going to happen i just didn't know when. i stepped into an elevator, and saw a newborn baby. it's the circle of life. one goes out, and another comes in. i love you so very much bill. i will see you again some day