The Rev. Dr. Frederick Pitts Eckhardt

The Rev. Dr. Frederick Pitts Eckhardt, age 96, after a long and very fruitful life, was peacefully called to rest on Tuesday, June 28, 2022. He was born on September 3, 1925 in Cumberland, Maryland and raised in his earliest years in Baltimore, Maryland.  In 1933 the family moved to Glyndon, Maryland, where he spent the rest of his youth.

The son of the late Frederick and Nellie Eckhardt he graduated from Franklin High School, Reisterstown, in 1943, and attended Western Maryland College until he enlisted in the U. S. Navy in 1944.  His time in the service, 1944-1946, spent mostly in the South Pacific during the final year of WW II and thereafter, profoundly influenced him and, in numerous ways, informed his life's path, as it did for many young veterans.  After his discharge he resumed his studies at Western Maryland College, graduating in 1948 and, subsequently, went on to The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg where he graduated in 1951.  That same year he married Nancy Paige Grimes from Reisterstown, Maryland, beginning, for both of them, a journey that would last 64 years, until her death in 2015.  Ordained in 1952, Fred served in churches in New York City (Holy Trinity Lutheran Church on Central Park West and St. John's Lutheran Church in Greenwich Village), and Grace Lutheran Church in Westminster, Maryland.  He served, as well, as a chaplain in a number of organizations, including with the New York City Fire Department in the 1960's and 1970's, the Westminster Fire Department and Maryland State Police, the American Legion, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) from the mid 1970's onward.

Living, working, and raising five children in New York City, alongside his wife Nancy, proved to be a particularly busy and prolific time of his life.  He was connected with a wide variety of organizations in that colorful urban setting, forging relationships that were unique and significant.  This held true when he came home to Maryland as well.  His work and ministry created bonds of friendship and mutual collaboration that will be well known to more than a few who read this.  His commitment to the work of providing care and serving in any way he could carried on to the very end as he cheerfully impacted the staff and residents of Carroll Lutheran Village, a community Fred was instrumental in initiating when arriving in Westminster in the 1970's, and the last earthly place he would call home.  As always, with someone who has had a full and vibrant life, one that so richly touched others, lots of stories and memories will be shared for years to come.

Fred is survived by his children, Tim, Jim, Fredi, Cami and Heidi, his son-in-law, Chris Cull, and his five grandchildren, Ben, Fenwick, Timmy, Bobby, and Christopher.  He was proud of them all and wished nothing but the best of everything, impressing upon them a love for this world, for its people and its places, encouraging each one to do the very best they could despite any odds.  In tandem with Nancy, their mother and grandmother, he cherished each and every one beyond measure.

He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Pat Eckhardt, as well as his beloved nieces and nephews.  He was pre-deceased by his sister and brother-in-law Jeannie and Clarence McWilliams, and his wife Nancy's siblings, Shirley (Buddy), Mebs (Teeny), and Doris.  A private, graveside service was held on Saturday, July, 2, 2022, at Pipe Creek Cemetery of the Church of the Brethren, Union Bridge, Maryland.

Arrangements are by the ECKHARDT FUNERAL CHAPEL, P.A., Manchester, MD.