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Richard Eckenrode Obituary
Richard John
Eckenrode
September 9, 2024
Richard "Dick" Eckenrode born on December 24, 1932, in Harrisburg PA, passed quietly September 9, 2024, at the age of 91. The father of three, grandfather of eight and great grandfather of twins, Dick attended Penn State where he met his wife of 58 years, Kate Stark. He served in the Air Force for four years as an airplane mechanic and finished his degree at St. Louis University on the GI bill. He co-designed the overhead panel of the Gemini spacecraft, training the original 7 astronauts on its use, and later Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon. Dick moved his family to Norwalk, Connecticut. where he worked as an engineer on multiple government defense contracts. He moved to Maryland where he worked for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for two decades as a Senior Human Factors Engineer reviewing Nuclear Power plants for safety in the US, Japan and Canada. Retired at 71 he and Kate moved to the Peregrine community where they became active members of their church. See: https://www.afterall.com/obituaries/RichardEckenrode
Dick's Celebration of Life is 11:00 am on Thursday, Sept. 19, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 2650 Parish View, Colorado Springs, CO 80919.
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Memories and Condolences
for Richard Eckenrode
2 Entries
Judy Eckenrode Porter
September 18, 2024
My father was a truly remarkable man. After helping get a man on the moon, he worked hard, steadily and quietly making our country safe - first in Defense and then as a Nuclear Regulatory Commission Safety expert. Glen Rose in Fort Worth was just one of the MANY power plants he checked for safety. He went to Japan abd Canada. Both countries wanted him to work for them when he retired at 71. But he wanted to relax and enjoy his final years in Colorado. I have so many great memories of him as a fun Dad and a strict disciplinarian. But he raised us (three kids) right!
Paul O'Connell
September 18, 2024
I feel fortunate to have come to know Richard during the past year during his residency at StoneCreek Senior Living. What a remarkable man. I'm still puzzled as to how an airplane mechanic became THE expert on control panels for NASA's space program. Whenever I asked, Richard would give me his wry smile but few details. He worked closely with the original 7 astronauts, and they must have admired him just as I do. Richard, you deserve high marks for a life well lived!
Paul O'Connell
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All Veterans Funeral & Cremation - Colorado Springs1020 E Fillmore Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80907
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