Charles William Eck

1924 - 2017

Charles William Eck 1924—2017
Charles William Eck, 93, who will be remembered by many as kind and outgoing with a quick smile and hearty laugh, died November 19, 2017, at his home in Denver, CO. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Ruth Ann Bach of Vineland, NJ; three children, Chris (Kevin) Hibbard of Carrollton, GA, Bob (Julie) Eck of Denver, CO, and Cindy Eck of Centennial, CO; and four grandchildren, Alison and Tyler Hibbard, Eleanor and Evelyn Eck. Charles was born June 9, 1924, to parents, Charles and Minnie (Klawiter) Eck in Aurora, IL. They moved to Rockford where he graduated from Rockford East High School in 1942. He served in the Navy during World War II. Charles was a purchasing agent at Sundstrand Aviation and Rockford Special Machine, and retired from Greenlee/ExCello Machine Company. He was active at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, where he served as Junior and Senior Warden plus many other volunteer roles. Charles was a founding member at Klehm Arboretum. He served on the Board of Directors and was a volunteer on various committees and construction projects there. In 1992, the Northern Illinois Botanical Society inaugurated the "Charles Eck Award" for individuals who set the standard for excellence and distinction in volunteerism. In 2005, Charles and Ruth received the Seth B. Atwood Memorial Park and Conservation Service Award.
A memorial service will be held at a later date in Rockford. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Emmanuel Episcopal Church or the Charles W. Eck Memorial Fund at Klehm Arboretum, both in Rockford, IL.