Wilbert Eckardt

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Wilbert Joseph Eckardt of Northfield, Minn. passed away February 19 at the age of 93 in the company of long time family friend Marilyn Will.

Wib was born Jan. 1, 1917 in Greencastle, the son of Lisgar and Ethel (Wilson) Eckardt. He attended public schools in Greencastle and in Belchertown, Mass., before graduating from Moorestown Friends School in Moorestown, N.J., in 1934.

He went on to graduate from DePauw University in 1938. He married Jane (Brown) Eckardt in 1939.

Following four years in the fire and casualty insurance business, he served for three years as an officer in the 1st Amphibious Force of the United States Navy. After discharge from the Navy, he spent several more years in the casualty insurance field and then was employed for 17 years as the purchasing agent at DePauw University, beginning in 1951.

He left DePauw in 1967 and took over as purchasing agent and director of housing at Carleton College in Northfield, retiring from Carleton in 1979.

Wib was preceded in death by his wife, Jane Brown Eckardt, in

September of 1998. During his post-retirement years he particularly enjoyed traveling with Jane, socializing with friends over a good meal and taking in sporting events with his son, Bill.

With the help of his daughter, Joan Watts, he lived independently for all but the last three years of his life. That was important to him.

Survivors include daughter Joan Watts; son Bill (Ardie) Eckardt; brother-in-law Bob (Isabelle) Brown; grandson Rusty (Lisa) Watts; and granddaughter Wendy (Rick) Zemanski.

Wilbert Eckardt will be buried at Forest Hills Cemetery in Greencastle next to his wife, family and friends.

A graveside service will be held later in the spring.