Rueben “Red” Eckardt

Rueben “Red” Eckardt of Birnamwood passed away on Friday, December 13, 2024, after a brief illness. 

“Red” was born on February 28, 1933 to Leonard and Adelia (Umland) Eckardt with his red hair foreshadowing his fiery temperament throughout his life. The fourth child born to his parents following Delores, Donald and Eugene, he enjoyed his first few years on the family farm in Aniwa. 

 When he was 4 years old, his father passed away leaving his mother to raise the four children during the depression and requiring her to work multiple jobs to make ends meet. As a result, many kind people in the town of Birnamwood had a hand in raising Red. Throughout his school years, Red was active in football, basketball and baseball while also participating in band and student government. 

He attended UW-River Falls, graduating in 1955 with a history and physical education degree while working various jobs and playing baseball for the Falcons. Upon graduating, he started his teaching and coaching career at Mattoon High School where he met his future wife Rosemarie Eibenholz, marrying her in 1958. Red and Rosemarie were blessed with three children: Jill, Casey and Michael.

Red continued his career with stops in Edgar, Wabeno, Bonduel, Wisconsin Rapids and eventually back to Birnamwood. He was a highly successful teacher and coach in the sports of football, basketball and baseball, winning many conference championships. He later earned his masters degree in school counseling and served at Lincoln High School and West Junior High School in Wisconsin Rapids and then at Wittenberg-Birnamwood Elementary School until his retirement in 1988. For over 45 years, Red was very active in WIAA athletics where he would work officiating the sports of football, volleyball, basketball, baseball and softball. It was through education that he positively influenced and assisted thousands of young people in so many ways.

Red was proceeded in death by his father Leonard, mother Adelia, stepfather Thomas Belich, brothers Eugene and Donald, sister Delores and daughter-in-law Jill. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Rosemarie, of Birnamwood, daughter Jill (Bill) and sons Casey and Michael (Risa). He is further survived by grandchildren, Celli, August, Joey, Leah, Cooper and Cal and one great grand-child Hudson. 

The family wishes to express their most sincere appreciation for their supportive neighbors and friends and all their selfless help both before and during Red’s illnesses.

Mid Wisconsin Cremation society is assisting the family currently. Online condolences may be expressed at MWCS.WS