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Zachary Eckhart Obituary
Ens. Zachary Ryan Eckhart, age 25, of Orefield flew his final flight as a Naval Flight Officer on April 12, 2010 when the plane he was on crashed in northern Georgia. He was the husband of Sarah L. (LaMotte) Eckhart, his college sweetheart, with whom he celebrated their 1st anniversary this past October 11. Born in Virginia Beach, VA on 28 March 1985, he was the son of retired Navy Commanders Brad and Joyce (Hollick) Eckhart. Zach was a graduate of Northwestern Lehigh High School class of 2003 where he was a member of the National Honor Society, Drama Club Tech crew, and the high school marching band where he was the drum major in his senior year. He was also very active in scouting and attained the rank of Eagle Scout. Zach attended Virginia Tech on a four year NROTC Scholarship. He graduated with the class of 2008 receiving his B.S. in Aerospace Engineering. While there he was a member of the Corps of Cadets (VTCC) as well as the regimental band, the Highty-Tighties. During his time with VTCC he was a guidon carrier, the academic officer for both the band company and the 3rd Battalion and also a section leader. He graduated in 2007 from the Corps with a minor in Leadership studies. He lived by the motto Deeds Not Words. After graduation he earned a commission in the United States Navy and was accepted into the Naval Flight Officer School in Pensacola. FL. He received his Navy Wings of Gold as a Naval Flight Officer on 16 April 2010 at Pensacola FL during a memorial service held to honor him and the other 3 officers involved in the crash. Survivors: His beloved wife Sarah; his parents; sister, Megan a senior at VA Tech; and numerous other family members. Services: With full military honors will be held on April 24, 2010 at 1 p.m. at Weisenberg Lutheran Church, 7645 Weisenberg Church Rd., New Tripoli. Calling hours at the church will be from 11 a.m to 1 p.m. Burial will be at the church cemetery. Contributions: The family requests that donations be made to a scholarship in his memory at Virginia Tech Foundation, memo Zachary Eckhart Memorial Virginia Tech University Development (0336), Blacksburg, VA 24061 ATTN: Corps of Cadets.
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Memories and Condolences
for Zachary Eckhart
Kevin Martin
May 11, 2010
Brad & Joyce,
We just found out about your tragic loss. Our hearts go out to you. May God bless you and comfort you.
Zip and Paula
Tammy & Alan Van Parys
April 29, 2010
Our prayers and thoughts are with you. It takes brave men and women to join the fight of protecting one's country, you must be proud of such character. It will be difficult at best as the healing from such a loss begins. As one who underdtands this sorrow, please feel free to contact us at anytime. God Bless.
N Setzer
April 26, 2010
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Eckhart,
Thank you for having the strength and courage to raise this young man. For giving him the determination and sense of pride and responsibility needed to dedicate his life to his country and fellow country men. My children and I thank you.
An Army/Marine Family
Steve Mitchell
April 26, 2010
Dear Eckhart Family,
We offer our prayers and condolences to your family and friends of Zachary. I am sure he was an exceptional young man. As parents of a VTCC graduate and a recent casualty, we know and feel the emptyness in your life. Our prayers are with you all. Please contact us if we can be of any assistance to you.
Steve, Connie and Drew Mitchell
Parents, Brother of
Captain Seth Mitchell
USMC, Cobra Pilot
KIA Afghanistan 10/26/2009
An AF mom
April 25, 2010
Wishing you a fair wind and following seas, Ensign. Thank you for your service to our country. May memories of you comfort your family at this difficult time.
Karen Wallace
April 23, 2010
May the love of friends and family give you comfort in this difficult time. Please know that you and your family are our thoughts and prayers.
Karen,Bruce,Rolla,and Geric
Susan Pensyl
April 23, 2010
To the Eckhart Family,
I thank the Lord for giving us the gift of Zachary…He served all of us in this world well and brought joy, hope and love to those lives he touched. As God’s faithful servant, he truly is enjoying his reward.
May you all celebrate his life in yours hearts with warm smiles and the comfort of love.
Sincerely,
Susan Lynn Pensyl
Briana Morgan
April 23, 2010
Thank you for your service. You were a good man. We'll miss you, Zach.
April 23, 2010
My heart and prayers go out to this young man's family and friends during this very difficult time. I lost a dear friend at 26 yrs old who flew for Navy and also died during training exercises 11 years ago. May your memories help to comfort you. Godspeed.
Tom & Tricia Rubenstein
April 23, 2010
Sarah, Brad, Joyce, & Megan,
You are all in Tricia and my thoughts and prayers. Zach was a fine young man, quick to smile, and dedicated to family and country. I know he will be missed by his HT Buds, Navy ROTC Classmates, and his fellow Naval Officers. Zach's positive outlook, calm demeanor, and dedication to become an aviator had a profound impact on all those his life touched. The Navy lost a great one in Zach.
God Bless you all and God Speed.
Tom and Tricia Rubenstein
Ginny Spaide
April 22, 2010
Mrs. Eckhart and family, I am so deeply sorry for your tremendous loss. You are all in my prayers. Everything that I have read about him speaks volumes of his character and spirit. A true gentleman. Ensign, bask in the light of our Heavenly Father. Thank you for your service.
cheryl Hedge Petro
April 22, 2010
My dad was a 30 year veteran of the US NAVY and to read of such a promising life cut short brings back memories. Your son and husband was someone to be very proud of. Everyone should have someone like him to look up to. He will be missed by his family, friends and fellow officers and enlisted in the Navy. My condolences to you and yours. Be proud and never forget he did what he loved even for such a short time. And when you take a moment to breathe and you will, take the time to enter him in the USNavy Memorial Log Book in Washington, DC.(0nline). There he will always be a part of the USNavy.
Nicky Chrisman
April 22, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Michele
April 22, 2010
Thank you sir for your service to our Country. Thank you to your family for their sacrifices as well. Please accept condolences for the loss of Mr. Eckhart. Hold tight to your memories ~ they will bring you comfort.
Deb Moyer
April 22, 2010
Eckhart Family,
My heart breaks for you. I truly understand your devastation. May you come to find peace knowing that Zachary is in God's care. Thank you for his service and for your sacrifice. Joyce, from one Gold Star Mother to another, I am here for you!
April 22, 2010
My sincere condolences and prayers for your family. LCDR, USN.
April 22, 2010
Another greatful US citizen here, thanking you, sir, for your service, and sending deepest condolences to the family.
wife of a Navy Seabee Vet
April 21, 2010
To Zachary's entire family, I want to offer my most sincere condolences. He was a beautiful young man and served his country with pride, and for that I want to thank him from the bottom of my heart. I know how much he will be missed, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Steve
April 21, 2010
I am jealous that Zach got to meet the Lord doing what he loved, but sad for the Eckharts and the community for such a devastating loss. My prayers go out to everyone.
April 21, 2010
Brad, Joyce and Miss Megan,
So sorry for your loss!! You are in our thoughts and prayers. As difficult as this time is, please try to remember all the good times and memories that we all have of Zach. Will always remember his kindness and the times he spent with our family as well as the "crew" coming into my office at school. We will all miss him dearly!!
Auntie and Donald
U.S. Citizen
April 21, 2010
I am so sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathy for your family. Thank you sir, for your service to our country. What a true patriot. Peace be with you.
April 21, 2010
Thank you for serving our country. May God Bless and keep your family close in this difficult time. All military families are praying for you and keeping you close in our hearts.
A Navy Mom
April 21, 2010
I did not know Zach, but I extend my deepest sympathy to Zach's family and a thank you to him for serving his country.
May memories of happy family events and God's blessing bring you comfort at this time.
Deb
April 21, 2010
Our deepest sympathy on your loss. We thank Zach for his service to our country. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Lee Widmer
April 21, 2010
May God Bless you and keep you in His care. Thank you for your courage and devotion to your Country.
LuAnn and Gary Williams
April 21, 2010
Joyce and Brad, please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers at this very difficult time. Thank you Zach for serving our county. God bless you.
April 21, 2010
Brad and Joyce, we were very saddened to hear of Zach's passing. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Thank you Zach for serving our country. God bless you.
LuAnn and Gary Williams
April 20, 2010
Sorry to hear about Zach. Zach was such a great man and a role model to all. He will be missed. Thank you for serving our country Zach.
April 20, 2010
My deepest condolences to this gentleman's family and friends.
Kristen Schooley
April 20, 2010
From our Navy family to yours:
We are so sorry for your loss. May God provide you comfort in your time of sorrow.
Chester & Ginger Mankowski
April 20, 2010
We did not know your husband, son, best friend but wanted to tell you how sorry we are for your loss. As veterans we are sending this poem to help ease your grief & keep you proud of all Zachary accomplished. God Bless all of you. (My cousins are Dale and Eleanor Lakatosh)
"Final Roll Call
Did you hear the sad news today?
A brave American Sailor, Ensign Zachary Ryan Eckhart, has passed away.
Called by the Supreme Commander over all.
Today he has made his final roll call.
Come Brothers-In-Arms; let us reverently bow and pray
For our valiant comrade, who has fallen this day.
We’ll drape his casket with a banner of beautiful hues,
Those glorious American colors: red, white and blue.
That star spangled banner he gallantly fought to defend,
Unyielding and undaunted, he fought to win.
He fought bravely and he fought his very best.
Now the Supreme Commander grants him, “eternal rest”.
With dignity and honor, we’ll commit his body to the ground,
The bugler will sound “Taps” and we’ll fire the volley rounds.
The final military honors we’ll render somberly and ever so sadly;
“Old Glory” we’ll solemnly precisely fold and reverently give to his family.
Each Memorial Day we will recall Zachary's name,
And attest that his supreme sacrifice was not in vain;
For this lasting legacy he gave to all generations;
“It’s honorable to respect our flag and to defend our great nation.”
So close ranks fellow warriors, for our ranks are thinning.
We must keep on fighting and keep on winning.
With pride and honor we’ll march and stand tall,
And we’ll proudly - proudly - salute “Old Glory”
‘til we join Zachary at our final roll call.
Farewell Ensign Zachary Ryan Eckhart- Be At Ease; Rest In Peace"
April 20, 2010
Ut Prosim
Check Family
Hellertown, PA
Denise Belnoski
April 20, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
April 20, 2010
Thank you for your service to your country. God Bless and God Speed.
April 20, 2010
Brad, Joyce and Megan:
Our deepest sympathy in your loss of Zachary. Words cannot express our sorrow. What a truly amazing young man. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Much love and comfort sent to you all.
Love, Bob, Vicki, Zachary, Jacob and Kylee Bennett
April 20, 2010
Joyce and family,
Our deepest sympathy to you all. What a fine looking and accomplished son. We are so very, very sorry.
Frank, Susan, Morgan & Samantha Ritchie
Eleanor and Dale Lakatosh
April 20, 2010
Joyce,Brad,Megan and Sarah,
Mere words cannot express how shocked we are about losing a wonderful friend .We will always remember Zach.He will be missed by all.You are in our thoughts and prayers.God bless you.
April 20, 2010
Peace be with you all.
April 20, 2010
The community and a greatful nation mourns with you. God bless you all at this time.
Julie Bannar
April 20, 2010
Joyce, Brad, Megan, and Sarah,
Our deepest sympathy to you all. May God's grace hold you up and bring you strength and peace in the days ahead.
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Julie & Andrew Bannar and family.
April 20, 2010
Thank you for your service to your country. God Bless and God Speed.
April 20, 2010
Thank you and God Bless.
J Bachman
April 20, 2010
Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Steve, Justine, Kailyn, Claire and Caleb Bachman
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