Dr. Richard E. Ecker

Dr. Richard E. (Dick) Ecker passed away peacefully surrounded by loving family on Monday December 6, 2021. He is survived by his bride Myrna (nee Dreier) of 68 years and brother Thomas (Carol) Ecker. Loving father of Suzanne Ecker, Mark (Cathy) Ecker, Eric Ecker, Karen (Michael) Hipskind and his late daughter, Beth (Michael) Rockouski; the affectionate grandfather of Keenon Ecker, Sherri (Matthew) Knop and Amy (Dustin Roller) Ecker, Samantha (Bradley) West and Matthew Hipskind, Elizabeth, Madeline, and Mary Rockouski; and the blessed great-grandfather of Lily Ecker and Chase Ecker Roller, Colton and Melody Knop, Olivia and Ryan West. Dick treasured time with his many nieces and nephews, and was an avid chronicler of family events. On March 13, 1930, Robert Orson and Winifred Bachtell Ecker announced the birth of their son, Richard in Waverly, Iowa. Dick was the fourth of five siblings: Don, Ted, Tom, Dick and Janet. A letterman in three sports at Waverly High School, Dick went on to join the Army in 1951. After basic and leadership training Dick was selected for Officers Candidate School and served in Korea shortly after graduation. During his service he was given command of Bearcat I & R platoon among other assignments and earned the UN Service Medal, National Defense Medal, Korean Service medal with 3-stars, Bronze Star, and the medal he was most proud of the Combat Infantry Badge. Upon returning from Korea, Dick married Myrna in the fall of 1953 and began his studies at Iowa State University while remaining in the US Army Reserves in command of Company C of the 328th Engineers Battalion. During that time, he earned the privilege of competing in the 5th Army National Pistol and Rifle Championships in 1956. He graduated from Iowa State University with a doctorate in bacteriology and was offered a doctoral fellowship at University of Florida in 1960. From there he went on to work as a research scientist in the Biological and Medical Research Division at Argonne National Laboratory in 1964. During his tenure at Argonne Labs, he embarked on sabbaticals with his family to teach and do research both at Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA and The Marine Biological Institute in Woods Hole, MA. Forever a researcher at heart he filled the years after Argonne with numerous writing projects. His books ranged from “Staying Well” and “The Stress Myth” that directly related to his time as a research scientist to “Friendly Fire” and “Korean Battle Chronology” relating to and inspired by his time in the service. He was a columnist in Ultrarunning magazine during that time and authored articles for VFW Magazine. Family was Dick's favorite subject. The research and work on his memoirs and the family genealogy have left a lasting legacy. Dick’s deep faith in God and commitment to the bible guided him through life. He and Myrna are long-time members of Christ Church of Oakbrook, where he volunteered, taught classes and especially enjoyed listening to Myrna sing in the choir. He was a man who lived his faith practically, participating in multiple disaster relief rebuilding projects though quite up in years. He traveled to New Orleans after hurricane Katrina, to Nashville, TN, New Albany, IN and Joplin, MO. Dick truly lived in the spirit described by Albert Schweitzer: “Life becomes harder for us when we live for others, but it also becomes richer and happier.” He goes to greater glory and will be deeply missed. Visitation Sunday, December 12th, 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Sullivan Funeral Home, 60 S. Grant St., Hinsdale, Illinois 60521. Family and Friends to meet for a Funeral Service Monday, December 13th, 10:00 a.m. at Christ Church of Oak Brook, 501 Oak Brook Road, Oak Brook, Illinois 60523. Interment private. Information: 630-323-0275 or www.sullivanfuneralhomehinsdale.com.