Don passed on to his home in Heaven at 5:20 a.m. Thursday, September 24, 2009 after a long illness. He was born on December 16, 1941  to Morris Don Eckhardt and Nona Kathleen Eckhardt in Chicago, IL. He earned an Associate of Arts Degree from Cochise College in 1984

He is survived by his beloved wife, Faith Collins, sister, Margie Riley, Brother, Morris, Sister Sharon Dietz, Stepdaughters Judy Louis Guentzler-McCrum, Gretchen Suzanne Trujillo, and granddaughter Samantha Lynn Trujillo. He is also survived by his beloved aunt Evelyn Ackley, niece Shelby Pittaway, nephew Jason Crspin Eckhardt, great niece Ariel, and great nephew Aaron.

Don was a member and elder in the First Presbyterian Church, Douglas, AZ. At the time of the his death, he was attending the Community Church of Warren, AZ and served on the Board of Directors. He was very active in Frontera de Cristo, a border mission of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. serving on the Board of Directors and with Just Coffee, a cooperative of coffee growers in Chiapas, Sonora MX.

He retired in 1979 from the U.S. Army with the rank of Staff Sergeant. Don served six consecutive years of duty during the Vietnam War. He was awarded the Bronze Star, the meritorious Service medal (Second Oak Leaf Cluster), Good Conduct Medal (5th award), Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, 8 Overseas Service Bars, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry wIPalm.

After retiring from the U.S. Army, he joined the staff at the Fort Huachuca Hospital as a paramedic and he continued in this capacity until its’ closure. While serving on the ambulance he was officially commended for exceptional performance twice and a Certificate of Appreciation recognizing the extra effort he expended to accommodate patients’ wishes in the emergency room setting. He then went to work in Military Intelligence, for Fort Huachuca, as a computer technician until his retirement in November 1997. He held the rank of Lt. Col. in the Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. He earned The Meritorious Service Award, The Commander’s Commendation Award, The Gill Robb Wilson Award for conspicuously meritorious performance and exceptionally distinguished service in the Civil Air Patrol, and the Charles E. “Chuck” Yeager Aerospace Education Achievement Award. He was one of the founding members of the Cochise County Search and Rescue Team where he served with and trained members of that organization for over 25 years. He is a Life Member of the American Legion Fred Hilbum Post in Douglas, AZ and a member of the 40 and 8. He was an avid flyer of remote controlled planes. For six years, he was a member of the Apache B.I.R.D. Remote Control Airplane Flying Club where he served as treasurer. He was a Boy Scout troop leader for many years and he was Boy Scout Commissioner for troops in Douglas and Bisbee, AZ. until his illness. Don felt he was especially blessed when he was called to join Gideons International Cochise Cochise Camp. He firmly believed in their mission of spreading God’s healing love and redemptive power throughout the world.

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, October 10, 2009 in the Community Church of Warren, AZ. at 2:00 pm. The church is located at 201 Arizona Street in the Warren area of Bisbee, AZ. Pastor Warren Griffin will officiate. In lieu of flowers, donations, in his memory, may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, Douglas, AZ, The Community Church of Warren, AZ, Gideons International, and the American Diabetes Association.

Don was exactly what he seemed to be. He always loved God, his country, his family, and all those who will remember his service to and love for all mankind. He left us too early.