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ECKMANN
In Memory Of
Col. Ronald P. Eckmann USMC (Ret.)
January 01, 1931
August 13, 2011
Retired U.S. Marine Corps Colonel Ronald P. Eckmann, 80, passed away on August 13, 2011, at home with his wife of 59 years Doris Eckmann and six children by his side. He passed away in San Antonio, but was a previous resident of Beeville for 28 years. Colonel Eckmann was born in Chicago, Ill., on January 1, 1931, son of Hans and Astrid Eckmann. Among his many distinguished accomplishments, he was part of the "Flying Nightmares" squadron in the Korean War. Colonel Eckmann fought two tours in Vietnam (1966-1967). During his aviation career, he flew 513 combat missions and logged over 4,600 hrs and flew every aircraft the Marine Corps had to offer. He received over 20 distinguished medals in his career including the Legion of Merit and two purple hearts. He retired after spending 30 years in the Marine Corps. After retiring, Colonel Eckmann had a rewarding civilian career as a naval flight instructor at Chase Field in Beeville. "Fly high dear son, loving dad, beloved papa./ The clouds no longer obscuring your sights./ The mission accomplished, the wind just right./ Onward, ever upward.God's Speed my endearing dad./ What a man, what a life, what a flight!" He was preceded in death by his parents, Hans and Astrid Eckmann, and two sisters Estelle Eckmann and Sonya Pizzaro. He is survived by his wife, Doris Eckmann of San Antonio; two sons, Thor Eckmann and wife Marsha of College Station, Peter Eckmann and wife Daffney of Leander, four daughters, Roxana Ball and husband David of Berclair, Kimberly Barnhart and husband Ret. Marine Lt. Col. Mark of Milbrook, AL; Sonya Arms of San Antonio, Kristina Kernick and husband Joe of Dripping Springs, eleven grandchildren: Kathryn, Michael, Brooke, Dennis, Matthew, Stacy, Brittany, Shelby, Kyle, Madison, Natalie; four great grandchildren; Tyler, Nikolas, Caleb and Andrew. Services will be held Friday, August 19, 2011 at Fort Sam Houston, Main Post Chapel, 1605 Wilson Way, San Antonio, TX 78234. Viewing 1:30 pm, Funeral service at 2:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Marine Corps League, www.mcleague.com. To leave a message for the family go to www.meadowlawn.net and select obituaries. Arrangements by:
Published in Express-News on August 18, 2011
Posted : 2011-08-21 20:20
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From Jim Weatherly via Red Lions Den: Passing of Ronald P. Eckmann
Just thought I would send details of Col. Ron Eckmann Services at Fort Sam Houston on Aug. 19, 2011. Ron was sent out in great style by the USMCR based at Fort Sam Houston, LCol., in charge of Honor Detail, a MSgt., 7 troops in the gun salute detail, all above the rank of Sgt., 2 trooops in the flag folding, and a Lady Marine who blew Taps, probably the finest playing of Taps I have ever heard. Retired US Army Chaplain Gil Richardson conducted the services in the Fort Sam Main Post Chapel. Persons speaking was Ron's son-in-law, LCol. Mark Barnhart, USMC, Ret., a backseat F-18 driver, and Ron's son Peter Eckmann, who could only say "Semper Fi Dad."
I first met Ron when he joined VMF (N) 513, F3D's at K-6, Korea in 1954, and after that tour we both ended up as instructors in Naval Air Advanced Training Command, Ron at Corpus and I at Beeville. We stayed in touch all these years and I visited him in Beeville two years ago and at College Station at a Eckmann Family Reunion latter the same year. Even as sick as Ron had been the last several years everytime I would talk to him by phone he would always say "I'm fine." Ron's remains are to be cremated and taken to Barrancas National Cemetery aboard NAS Pensacola at a later date. If Marvin Day's nickname was Lucky, I also knew him as he was in Pre-Flight eary 1950 and was from Joplin, MO., I live 28 miles north at Jasper, MO.
I retired from USMCR June 1968, flying A4's out of NAS Los Alamitos.
Semper Fi - Jim Weatherly
Posted : 2011-08-23 23:44
