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John Eck Obituary
John was a warm and loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, with an optimistic spirit and generous heart. John loved travel and adventure and was fortunate to travel the world with his wife Dorothy. He enjoyed annual fishing trips with close friends in the U.S. and Canada, and he loved spending time at his family getaway in Lake Gaston. His quick-witted humor and clever wordplay brought smiles and laughter to everyone who knew him.
John was born in West Hempstead, NY to parents Pauline Ace Eck and Otto Valentine Eck and graduated from West Hempstead High School in 1958. After earning his bachelor's degree in physics from Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn in 1962, he studied at Johns Hopkins University where he completed his doctoral work in 1967. He spent 16 years at Kansas State University as a professor of physics before joining the faculty at the University of Toledo in 1985 as associate dean of the graduate school. Throughout his career, John was a beloved teacher and mentor to many students, faculty, and colleagues.
In retirement, John volunteered on the boards of the Primeplus Senior Center in Norfolk and the Friends of the Norfolk Public Library.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Dorothy DeLuca Eck, son David Eck (Kristie), daughters Karen Eck and Jennifer Muchka (Erik); his grandsons Dillan, Trevor, Evan and Adam; his sister, Betsy Dreyfus and sister-in-law Edie Eck; his niece and nephews and their families; many wonderful friends; and his beloved dog Meggie. He was preceded in death by his parents and older brother Joseph Eck.
H.D. Oliver Funeral Services in Norfolk is handling the cremation arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Norfolk SPCA, Primeplus Senior Center or the charity of your choice. For memorial service details and more information about John's life, please visit www.hdoliver.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
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3 Entries
Larry Weaver
December 21, 2024
John and I were members of a monthly dinner group. Heinz Buhlman and somebody else were the others. Usually our wives did the cooking but one month "the guys" decided to do that. We met at a bowling alley and decided on a menu of Polish cooking. It was great!
Larry Weaver
December 24, 2022
John was a valuable colleague in the physics department at Kansas State. I particularly enjoy remembering his description of using a recursion relation "backwards" to get an accurate Bessel function as "making a silk purse out of a sow's ear". He was a good teacher, too. In one of his large lecture classes he illustrated ideas of impulse-momentum using a toilet paper roll; memorable.
Betsy
December 23, 2022
John and Dot´s generosity also financed a workout room in our mom´s name at The Indiana University of Pennsylvania. His sense of humor had a truth to it that made it hysterical.
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H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments, Inc. - Norfolk Chapel1501 Colonial Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23517
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