Ronald George Eckart, 80, of Northfield, MN and formerly of Morgan, MN passed away July 30, 2014 at his home after a long battle with Parkinson ’s disease. The oldest of five children, he was born January 23, 1934 in Albert Lea, MN to Leo Glen Eckart and Meletha (Schendel) Eckart. He grew up in New Richland, MN, graduating from high school in 1952. While in high school and college, he worked for the local theater and for his dad in the ready mix business.
In his sophomore year at Mankato State, Ron along with his communication class was instrumental in starting the college radio station. He graduated from Mankato State in 1956 and took additional courses at Mankato, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, and University of Duluth.
He was united in marriage to Mary Ann Coughlin on June 6, 1959 at the Methodist Church in Northfield, MN. Together they raised four children. Ron served in the United States Navy from 1952 to 1960 at the Naval Air Base in Minneapolis. He started teaching at Morgan High School in 1956. Ron taught for 33 years at Morgan and Cedar Mountain High School. He taught junior high and high school science and some junior high math. He was a “third generation” teacher, some of his students were the children of students he taught his first few years at Morgan. He was in charge of the audio-visual department and built one of the better departments in the state. He announced all football, basketball, and volleyball games along with tournaments. In addition to the audio work at the school, he would provide assistance at community events requiring the use of audio or video equipment. He started theMorgan High Radio Workshop. A weekly student broadcast during the school year on local radio stations KNUJ, New Ulm and later KLGR, Redwood Falls. One summer, Ron along with the band director and a school board member built a full size Schober electronic Organ from kit for the school.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.