Richard Elmer Eckert, 86, of Hellertown, passed away on June 30, 2018 in his home. Richard was born in Hellertown on Aug. 20, 1931 to the late Warren Eckert and Grace (Diehl) Eckert.
He married Nancy (Fritchman) Eckert on March 13, 1954 in Hellertown. Richard was a 1949 graduate of Hellertown High School, where he played on their championship basketball team. He was a 1953 graduate of Muhlenberg College, earning a Bachelor of Science degree and played basketball there. Richard received a Master’s degree from Stevens Institute of Technology. He was a teacher of biology and general sciences at Pen Argyl High School from 1955 to 1958, and a teacher of chemistry at Wilson Area High School from 1958 to 1993. Richard was the Science Department Chair from 1983 to 1987. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, he was the Junior Varsity boys’ basketball coach at Pen Argyl and the head coach of the Wilson boys’ basketball team for 11 years, during which time his teams won three league championships and one team was a District XI runner-up. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from 1953 to 1955. His community involvement included Little League baseball coaching and volunteering at the Hellertown Historical Society Christmas open house. He also served as past chairman of the Hellertown Borough Water Authority. Richard was a faithful member of Christ Lutheran Church, Hellertown, where he was past superintendent of Sunday school for 11 years and past Sunday school teacher for 16 years.
SURVIVORS
Richard is survived by wife Nancy; son and daughter-in-law: Scott and Barbara Eckert; daughter: Jane (Eckert) Reichl; granddaughters: Elizabeth (Eckert) Bolin, Lindsay Eckert, Jessica and Erica Reichl. He was predeceased by siblings: Ruth (Eckert) Strauss, Harold Eckert, Pauline (Eckert) Metzger and Donald Eckert.
SERVICE
Family and friends are invited to call from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, July 5, 2018 at Christ Lutheran Church, 69 Main St., Hellertown. The calling hour will be followed by the service at 11 a.m. The Rev. Philip C. Spohn will officiate. The interment will conclude services at the Union Cemetery of Hellertown. Military honors will be accorded by the Edward H. Ackerman American Legion Post 397, Hellertown. Online expressions of sympathy can be recorded at www.heintzelmancare.com. Arrangements are by the Heintzelman Funeral Home Inc., Hellertown
CONTRIBUTIONS
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Richard’s memory can be sent to Christ Lutheran Church, 69 Main St., Hellertown, PA 18055.
