An electronic hobbyist, he worked part-time at Kiesow Radio and TV, taking over when the owner died. He installed sound systems in local churches in and around Morgan. During the last few years at Morgan, he would video tape area community celebrations and many weddings. In the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, he became involved with the State Park Association at Fort Ridgely and with the “Theatre at the Fort.” The group would present four plays at the amphitheatre plus hold other activities at Fort Ridgely. He served as the sound technician and later was the Technical Director for the summer seasons. While at Morgan, he was a Cub Scout Leader, Civil Defense Director, and a member of Morgan United Methodist Church.
After retiring from teaching, he worked at Foldcraft Manufacturing in Kenyon, MN until retiring in 1999. He was a member of the Stanton United Methodist Church. Ron and his wife traveled the country by bus visiting their children, grandchildren, relatives and friends. He enjoyed attending Blue Grass Festivals, gardening, and classic cars, especially Corvairs.
He was preceded in death by his parents, step mother, Evelyn Kauffman Eckart; his in-laws, William Coughlin and Evelyn (Johnson) Coughlin; daughter, Mary Evelyn Eckart in 2008; brother in-laws Daniel Coughlin and Jerry Meyer; one niece and nephew David and Diane Meyer.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Ann; son SMSgt Glen Eckart, USAF (Ret) and Karen of Lompoc, CA and their daughter, Cassandra; Lisa and TSgt John Armour, USAF (Ret) of Durham, NC and their four sons Sgt Daniel Armour (US Army), Richard Armour, Sgt Gerald Armour (US Marines) and his wife Krista and their son, Haeden, and 2nd Lieutenant Michael Armour (US Air Force); Stan Eckart of Bellevue, NE; and three adopted grand children; Shane, Tory, and Shanon Harazin; his sister Marilyn Meyer and special friend Stanley Herbst, New Richland; his brothers, Wayne (Ann) Eckart of Mapleton, Carlyle Eckart of Duluth, MN; Norman (Sharon) Eckart of New Richland; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A memorial Service will be held October 11 at 2 p.m. at the Stanton United Methodist Church in Stanton, MN. Burial will be at the Stanton Cemetery.