Philip K. Eckman died Jan. 30, 2015, in Williamsburg. He was 83.
Born in 1931 in Allentown, Pennsylvania, he grew up in Pittsburgh and attended Carnegie Institute of Technology where he earned a Ph.D in electrical engineering. Upon graduation, he moved to Pasadena, California to work for Jet Propulsion Laboratory at Caltech. He worked at JPL for 27 years, with a hiatus of 18 months in 1967 to work for the National Aeronautics & Space Council in Washington and a 12-year period when he served as director of Research and Development for the CIA. In 1989, he returned to JPL in Pasadena where he worked until he retired in 1998. Upon retirement, he relocated to Williamsburg.
He always had a twinkle in his eye and a wry sense of humor with words and song. His joys in life included hiking, skiing, sailing, collecting wine and art and playing the piano. He had a lifelong love of music that was instilled from an early age by his mother who was a piano teacher.
He enjoyed many adventures with his wife, traveling off-the-beaten path throughout Western and Eastern Europe as well as savoring the beauty of America. He was a member of Alpha Tau Omega, CIRA, the International Brotherhood of Magicians and the Mountain Dancers.
He was preceded in death by his father, Donald K. Eckman; mother, Esther K. Myers; and son-in-law, Russell L. Davis.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 25 years, Helen Landzaat Eckman; daughters, Anne K. Eckman (David) and Elizabeth S. Eckman; son, Paul G. Eckman; stepdaughter, Tessa Jordan (Thomas); and four grandchildren Ryan, Trevor and Hope Jordan and John Keeley Davis.
Phil was lovingly cared for by the staff of Spring Arbor of Williamsburg and the devoted team of Hospice Community Care of Newport News.
According to Phil’s wishes, no memorial services will be held and his body will be cremated.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Phil’s memory to Doctors without Borders.
“To live in the heart of those you love is not to die.”
Please leave online condolences for the family at Bucktrout Funeral Home.
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