Donald P. Eckert
August 29, 1933 – November 26, 2025
Donald Philip Eckert, age 92, of Lakeside, and formerly of Kent, Ohio, passed away peacefully in his sleep, in the morning of Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at Mary Martha Assisted Living. He was born in Akron, Ohio, to Albert and Mary Eckert and raised in Tallmadge, Ohio, graduating from Tallmadge High School in 1951. He attended Kent State University from 1951 to 1955, working his way through college doing line repair (a.k.a. a “gandy dancer”) for the Nickel Plate Railroad, and hitch-hiking his way to and from college between Tallmadge and Kent. He earned a bachelor’s degree in music education and later a master’s degree in music theory, both at KSU. He married his college sweetheart, Frances M. (Lofgren) Eckert, on June 16, 1956. They enjoyed 66 years of wedded bliss, often enjoying a nice dinner out on Friday nights, followed by dancing the jitterbug at clubs all over town, thanks to the dancing lessons he took as a teenager (which he signed up for “so he’d always have a date”).
In 1955, Don volunteered for the draft and proudly served two years as a trombonist in the 449th Army Band at Fort Chaffee, in Fort Smith, Arkansas — a source of lifelong pride – and served in the reserves an additional 2 years.
His teaching career began as the band director at South Beloit High School in Wisconsin, and he later served as band director at Kent Roosevelt High School in Kent, Ohio. He then opted to lead the Kent City Schools Elementary Band program for many years, where he was passionate about giving students a solid foundation on their instrument -- (which paved the way for many under his tutelage to become professional musicians) including the years his own children participated, a joy for him and for them. Don eventually transitioned to conducting the Kent Roosevelt High School Orchestra, for which he was fondly remembered as cultivating a professional sounding symphony, such as introducing the exciting “William Tell Overture” (a.k.a. “The Lone Ranger”) which quickly became a yearly favorite. He also taught music theory courses during his years at Roosevelt. His students remember his steady patience, skilled musicianship, and the remarkable growth he brought to the program. He retired from teaching in 1986 after a distinguished career of inspiring young musicians.
He was also active in the Kent United Methodist Church, assisting Fran with the children’s choirs, arranging brass quintets and playing trombone, serving as head of the music committee for a number of years, and composing an original work for choir, organ, and brass, for dedication of the new sanctuary. He and Fran developed many close friends through the Kent schools and church communities.
It is noteworthy that, in true hard-working Don Eckert style, he designed the family home in Kent Ohio by checking out a book from the library called “The Book of the House” and proceeded to build it himself (with help from his beloved father-in-law, Red Lofgren). While he was the Kent HS band director at the time of building the house, he was so pleased to learn later in life that the current Kent HS band director was now residing in the home (he jokingly said “built by a band director, for a band director).
After retirement from teaching, Don and Fran eventually moved full-time to Lakeside, completing the second home he designed, and that they had begun building together in the late 1970s (with help from their children and friends, which is a great memory for all involved). He continued pursuing his love of music by becoming a Registered Piano Technician, (as a 30+ year member of the Piano Technicians Guild) tuning and caring for instruments throughout the community, including the purchase and management of the Steinway Grand, which enabled many pianists to shine at the Hoover Auditorium in Lakeside. They enjoyed many wonderful years in their beautiful Lakeside and were active members of Lakeside United Methodist Church, where they sang in the choir (Don directed the choir for a few years) and formed lasting friendships. Don was also a master at navigating Lake Erie for walleye and perch fishing — famous in the family for hosting enormous perch-fry dinners on their wonderful Lakeside porch. In recent years he enjoyed daily visits to the Danbury Senior Center, where he enjoyed great meals, bingo, and wonderful companionship.
Don is survived by his three children: Thomas Eckert (Amy Rice) of Sacramento, California; Gary Eckert (Rosana) of Plano, Texas; and Erin Strouse (John) of Perrysburg, Ohio. He leaves behind two grandchildren, Stephen Strouse and Noielle Eckert, his sister Judy Wainscott (Leo), and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, three of his siblings (Vance, Virginia, and Sylvia), and his beloved wife Fran.
He will be remembered for his music, humor, work ethic, love of good food and a stiff drink, cooking, dancing, advanced handyman skills (which he generously applied to help others, including legends of his agility to “break in” to neighbor’s houses through small upstairs windows when they locked themselves out), his daily jogs and later walks, his kindness (having a special soft spot in his heart for righting social wrongs), and most of all, for his steadfast devotion to his family.
The funeral will be held in 11:00 am June 22, 2026 at Lakeside United Methodist Church, 540 Central Ave. Lakeside, OH 43440. Visitation will be from 10:00 am until the time of the service. Interment in the Lakeside Memorial Gardens immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, you may make contributions to the Lakeside United Methodist Church (Lakeside OH), The Danbury Senior Center (Marblehead OH), Mary Martha Assisted Living LLC (Toledo OH), or Care360 Hospice (Hilliard OH).
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