Dr. Donald H. Eckhardt

Dr. Donald Henry Eckhardt, 90 years old, died Saturday, October 20, 2023 at home­­­­­­­­­­­­­ in Canterbury NH. He was surrounded by his children, grandchildren and two dogs, Jake and Shayla. “Don” was born on December 20, 1932 in Flushing New York, the son of Henry and Freda Eckhardt. He attended school in Bayside, New York. He earned a B.S. in Geophysics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1955. From 1955-1958, he was employed by the Socony Mobil Oil company in Nebraska and Venezuela. Donald earned his Ph.D. in Geophysics from MIT in 1961. After graduating from MIT Don went to work for the United States Airforce Geophysics laboratories at Hanscom Airforce Base, where he worked until retiring as a member of the Senior Executive Service and Director of Earth Sciences in 1986.

He was the husband of Mary Victoria (Quigley) Eckhardt. Mary and Don met while he was attending school at MIT and she was attending school at Simmons College. They were married on November 18, 1955 in Aurora, Colorado. Donald and Mary spent the first years of their marriage living in Scottsbluff, Nebraska and Caracas, Venezuela. They moved to Bedford, Massachusetts in 1959 where they raised their children. In 1998, Don and Mary built their retirement home in Canterbury, NH, where they spent the rest of their lives. Donald and Mary loved Canterbury and enjoyed all the memories that they created with their 4 surviving children, 10 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.

Don was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Eckhardt, his son, Ralph Eckhardt, and his sister, Ruth Leinbach. Don is survived by son Ronald Eckhardt and his spouse Scharine Kirchoff of Anchorage, Alaska; his daughter Raina Eckhardt-Houle and her spouse Wayne Houle of Northfield, NH; his son Randall and his spouse Stacey Eckhardt of Springfield, Virginia; his daughter Rebecca and her spouse Philip Rose of Newburyport, Massachusetts; 10 grandchildren: Erin Fitzgerald and her spouse Joseph, Tara Fitzgerald and her spouse Ethan, Sean Fitzgerald and his spouse Karen, Meaghan Fitzgerald, Garick Eckhardt, Anna Eckhardt, Conrad Eckhardt, Patrick Rose and spouse Shannon, Connor Rose, and Ryan Rose. He is also survived by his two beautiful great-grandchildren, Zoe and Henry.

Don and Mary were married for over 50 years before her passing in October 2006. Don was an avid skier and hiker, a passion he passed onto both his children and grandchildren. He loved to have company, enjoying a good meal and a glass of wine. Don developed a love of travel from his experiences hiking across the United States and Europe between high school and college; becoming an extensive world traveler with friends and acquittances across most major time zones. Donald loved his family and he will be greatly missed.

A small ceremony was held at the Parish Hall at the Canterbury United Community Church at 6 Center Road in Canterbury, NH on Monday, October, 23, 2023. Don’s children are currently planning a celebration of Don’s life on the Anniversary of Don’s death for his friends and family.  

In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial gift in Don’s name to the SPCA, 104 Portsmouth Avenue, Stratham, NH 03885.