Theodore R. Eck

1933 - 2024

Theodore R. Eck

Orford, NH - Theodore R. Eck, Ph.D., economist and land conservationist, died on Thursday, August 1, 2024, at the Jack Byrne Center for Palliative and Hospice Care in Lebanon, NH at the age of 91. Ted was the first child of Howard William and Constance Mary (Newcomb) Eck. He was born in East Lansing, MI on March 10, 1933. His father, a chemistry professor, and his mother, a history teacher, instilled in him a love of learning, traveling and languages from an early age. On his father's death, ten-year-old Ted began a lifelong series of entrepreneurial ventures to help support the family while continuing his education. He entered Michigan State University at the age of 16, earning his bachelor's degree at age 19. He received an M.A. degree in Economics from the University of Michigan and a Ph.D. in Economics from Michigan State University. Enrolled in the ROTC program, he received the distinction of Outstanding Military Cadet and a regular Army commission. A fluent German speaker, he served as fire direction officer with the U.S. Army in Germany during the Korean Conflict, retiring with the rank of Captain. In this role he developed and implemented technical advances for artillery guidance systems.

Ted and his first wife Helen Reisig had four children, Mark, Ralph, Theodore, and Katherine. On the family's return from his posting in Germany, Ted began his professional career as an economist for the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. Moving to Dallas, he served as petroleum economist for the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas and also became chairman of the finance department at Southern Methodist University. He then traveled to Venezuela as a Fulbright Scholar, where he taught economics at the Universidad de Carabobo. While in Venezuela, he became Chief Economist for Creole Petroleum Corporation (Exxon) in Caracas.

Returning to the U.S., Ted took a position as Chief Economist for Standard Oil Company of Indiana, later known as Amoco. Throughout his career, he played a major role in industry organizations, was a founder of the Gas Technology Institute, consulted with federal government agencies, and represented the industry in Washington, frequently testifying before Congressional committees on energy issues. In 1984, he received the Mineral Economics Award from the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers. He consulted for the Defense Department's Institute for Defense Analysis and taught at the War College.

While working for Amoco he met fellow economist Heidi Wilson. They married in 1988. They lived near Chicago until 1998, when they decided to retire to New England, Heidi's first home. Together they designed and built their dream house in Orford, NH. Ted continued his business interests by serving on advisory boards of the Energy Intelligence Group, the Gas Technology Institute, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Energy Laboratory, and the Ledyard Bank.

Ted believed in conserving and protecting natural spaces. In retirement, he acquired forest land in New Hampshire and grazing land in Colorado. In New Hampshire, he created a trail system on 1,000 acres, useable for forestry, wildlife management and recreational enjoyment of the land. In Colorado, he employed best agricultural practices to renovate pasture and wildlife habitat that had been overgrazed for a century. In both places, he worked to protect acreage for future generations, in New Hampshire and Vermont with the Upper Valley Land Trust.

Ted is survived by his wife Heidi Wilson of Orford; children Ralph Howard Eck and wife Suzanne of Little Elm, TX; Theodore Eric Eck and wife Debra of Lady Lake, FL; and Katherine Constance Smith of Point Roberts, WA; daughter-in-law Siri Eck of Lake Bluff, IL; sister Carol Westing of Shelburne, VT; and grandchildren Jonathan Eck of Lyme, NH, Kristi Eck of Camillus, NY, Peter Eck of Winnetka, IL, Jason Eck of Avinger, TX, Jaclynn Smolen of Huntington Beach, CA, Patric Eck of Miami, FL, Christyne Collins of Lady Lake, FL, Tiger Smith of Portland OR, Cougar Smith of Vancouver, BC, and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by one son, Mark Konrad Eck, and one grandson, Ryan Dean Eck.

A service will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at the Orford United Congregational Church and burial will follow in the West Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are requested to a land conservancy or educational organization of one's choice.

Knight Funeral Home of White River Junction, VT is honored to be entrusted with arrangements, and online condolences may be made at www.knightfuneralhomes.com.