On Saturday, September 17, Will Eckhardt, loving husband of 26 years and father of two children, passed away at the age of 51. He died unexpectedly at home in Olathe, Kansas.
Will was born on September 14, 1971, in East Point, Georgia. Because of his father's trial work, Will's birth was announced in the front-page headline of The Atlanta Constitution: "Birth Delays Medina Trial."
Will proudly lived his life as an "Army Brat" moving and traveling in parts of the United States and Europe. This included attending 5 different elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools. He graduated from Patch American High School in Vaihingen, Germany.
Will returned to the United States, attended and graduated from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. This was followed by graduate school at Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University where he received his master's degree in public administration.
While at Dickinson College Will met Brenda Eaton. They were married on August 3, 1996, in Brenda's hometown of Binghamton, New York. They moved to Kansas City and later Olathe where they lived, worked, and started their family.
They have two children, Anita and Alan. Will was very proud of them and was always at the ready with a story to demonstrate their academic, athletic, and musical talents to anyone who would listen.
Will worked as a financial analyst. Early in his career he worked in health care, but he spent the last 22 years plying his skills in telecommunications.
In addition to Brenda, Anita, and Alan, Will is survived by his parents, Bill and Marge Eckhardt; his parents-in-law, Alan and Gwen Eaton; his brother, Rob (Carole) Eckhardt; nieces and nephews Kaili Kreiner, Forest Eckhardt, Adrienne Eckhardt, Paul Miller, Tonya Wood, Jessica Eaton, and Erica Eaton.
Services will be at Heartland Community Church, 12175 S Strang Line Rd, Olathe, KS 66062 on Friday, September 30, 2022. Visitation will be from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm and the memorial service will be held at 2:30 pm. Those who cannot attend are welcome to sign the online guest book by clicking the "Share Memories" button above.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to
Joy Meadows (Foster Care & Therapy).