Robert Eckard

Robert Charles "Bob" Eckard, a strong and loving husband, father, grandpa, brother and friend, went home to be with the Lord on Oct. 17, 2007.

Bob was born on Dec. 17, 1932, to Elmer and Rowena Eckard in Milford, Iowa. After graduating from high school and serving in the Army from 1955 to 1957 in Ulm, Germany, he married Louise Marie Lemker in 1958.

In 1964, he courageously moved his wife and two small children "out West" to Yakima, Wash., where he lived and worked for more than 30 years. Bob was a very successful businessman and salesman and especially enjoyed meeting, talking and working with people. Bob never met a stranger.

After retiring, he lived in Redmond, Wash., Whitefish and finally Chattaroy, Wash., north of Spokane. Bob enjoyed and excelled at many hobbies and activities throughout his life, including bowling, hunting, fishing and muzzleloader target-shooting.

He was a past president of the Yakima Valley Muzzleloaders and was also a member of the NRA and NMLRA for more than 40 years. However, his real love was trout fishing in his boat Red Fir on Lake Pend Oreille with his dog Schatze.

All who knew and loved him will remember his hearty laugh and the twinkle in his eye. He will be very missed by the family and friends whose lives he has touched and forever changed because of the life he lived.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Louise; son Jim and wife Theresa; daughter Julie Duncan and husband Brad; grandchildren Brooke, David and Matthew; brothers Larry, Donald and Marvin; and sister Lois.

A celebration of life memorial service was held Oct. 22, 2007, at Heritage Funeral Home in Spokane.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to either the American Diabetes Association, 910 West Fifth Street, Spokane WA 99204 or the American Heart Association, 140 South Arthur, Suite 610, Spokane WA 99202.