John Jacob Eckhardt

John Jacob Eckhardt died peacefully on June 15, at his daughter’s home in Davis, Calif., with three of his children by his side. He was born in Ritzville, on Sept. 13, 1929, to Jake and Anna Eckhardt.

He grew up on a farm outside of Ritzville and he spoke fondly of chasing roosters, playing with dogs and milking cows. Later, the family moved into town and he graduated from Ritzville High School in 1948. After graduating, he worked at his father’s machine shop before joining the Air Force. While stationed in England, he met his first wife, Marge, and they were blessed with two children, Angie a...