Thomas Eckle

Thomas Eckle
December 25, 1939 - November 6, 2021
Vista, California - Former Modesto resident Thomas Keith Eckle, passed away November 6, 2021 in Escondido, California.
At his request, no service will be held.
Thomas was born December 25, 1939 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Bill and Willa Eckle. Thomas was an avid baseball fan and that was evident by a crystal radio he built as a child to listen to the Yankee, Dodger, or Giant's home games if the atmospheric conditions were just right. His love of baseball extended throughout his life as he was always fond of following the San Francisco Giants from wherever he lived.
In 1957 Thomas graduated with honors from Modesto High School, later attending Modesto Junior College, and ultimately California State University Stanislaus graduating in 1976 with a Masters of Science in Psychology.
Thomas was an accomplished professor of psychology and taught at Modesto Junior College from 1972-1995. During his tenure, he taught general, personal, and social psychology along with pioneering the Human Sexual Behavior curriculum.
In 1985, Thomas took a sabbatical from Modesto Junior College to explore, design, and field test interactive computing software. What ultimately became known as Valley Computer Academy, was Thomas' first foray into the world of technology as it relates to enhancing the educational environment.
In 1995 Thomas became Dean of the Business, Behavioral, and Social Sciences Department at Modesto Junior College leading the department until he retired in 2002. During his time at Modesto Junior College, Thomas touched the lives of countless students and staff.
In 2002 Thomas and his wife Cathrin relocated to Cayucos, California. Their time spent on the Central Coast was filled with so much joy and love. In 2017, Thomas and Cathrin decided to leave their beloved Cayucos home and relocate to Vista, California. While Cayucos was and would always continue to be an important part of the family's history, the draw to move to Vista centered on their beloved grandchildren, son, and daughter in law.
While Thomas had a wide range of interests and hobbies, he was always quick to enjoy a baseball game, he loved spending time tending to his garden, and had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. By far his most celebrated hobby was being 'Poppy' to his grandchildren, Damon and Sadie.
Thomas is survived by his beloved wife of 43 years, Cathrin Eckle, his son Joshua Eckle, daughter in law Jennifer Eckle, and grandchildren Damon and Sadie.
Thomas is also survived by his sisters, Janet LaCommare (spouse, Steve) and Carol Partin (spouse, Charlie), as well as his niece, Denise Nieto and nephews Phil Carlson, Bill, Stephen, and Greg LaCommare.
At Thomas' request donations in his memory can be made to The Jacobs and Cushman San Diego Food Bank.