Roll Call Tribute

Roy Conrad (Connie) Eckard
December 25, 1933 – June 23, 2021

If you’re reading this, Connie Eckard is dead. But please know he had an incredible time getting there.

Connie was born in Fulton, New York, on December 25, 1933. He was the first of four children born to Frank and Rachel (Warner) Eckard. Connie died June 23, 2021, in Richland, WA after a life packed full of excitement, joy and fulfillment.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Bruce and his former spouse Joyce Eckard.

He is survived by an assortment of beautiful people, including Donna, his beloved soul mate - the wife, friend and love of his life. Survivors include his favorite sister Susan Yark in Cartersville, Georgia and his brother Pete in Luzon, the Philippines. Connie is also survived by his daughters Andrea Brown in Converse, Texas, Shirley Wolf in Richland and Debra Sue (Ross) Wolf Beaton in Portland, Oregon; his sons Kevin in Carriere, Mississippi, and Steven in Aurora, Illinois; nine grandchildren, a couple of great grandchildren and former spouse Patty Herold in Hesperus, Colorado.

Connie was a writer, editor and mentor who spent his professional career sharing stories about employee innovations that provided solutions in the workplace. He met Donna in 1985 at Northrop Aircraft in Hawthorne, California. She smiled at him and he was smitten on the spot. She taught him about love and caring and sensitivity.

He was offered a professional opportunity in Dallas and he asked her to go with him. Donna blessed his life by marrying him on August 8, 1988. They moved to the Tri-Cities in 1992 when Connie accepted a communications opportunity at Hanford. Connie worked for various Hanford contractors over a 17-year span. He began working as a free-lance writing and editing contractor in 1997, continuing until 2009. He also provided communication support for Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) at more than a dozen disaster sites around the country between 2005 and 2014.

Connie was a senior public affairs counsel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve and retired as a colonel after 31 years of commissioned service. He was Outstanding Liaison Officer Commander in the Nation, and served on advisory panels at the Air Force Academy, Cal State Long Beach and Texas A&M. He served on the academy selection panel for U.S. Congressman Doc Hastings over a 16-year period. Connie was an adjunct professor at Tulsa Junior College, City University in the Tri-Cities and at Webster University Thailand. He was editor in residence at Ball State University and was listed in Who’s Who in the West and in the first edition of Who’s Who in the Media and Communications.

Connie was a founding member of the International Association of Business Communicators. He served as an officer and headed committees at all levels of the organization. He initiated IABC’s Chapter Leadership Institute and received the IABC Fellow and Chairman’s awards for his contributions to the profession. He was accredited by IABC and served on IABC’s accreditation board and council. He received numerous IABC honors, including editor of the year in Dallas and communicator of the year in Los Angeles. He was a life member of IABC Tulsa, IABC Dallas and IABC U.S. District 5.

Connie was Mid-Columbia Chapter president of The Association of Women in Communications. He was a member of Society of Professional Journalists chapters in Dallas, Tulsa, Los Angeles, and the Tri-Cities.

He received a BA in English from Texas A&M where he was a student editor and co-captain of the boxing team. He served as president of Texas A&M alumni clubs in Tulsa and the Columbia Basin. Connie did graduate work at A&M, Air University and National Defense University before receiving a PhD in communication management from Pacific Western University in Los Angeles.

Connie was a very proud past president and committee member of The Arc of Tri-Cities. A graduate of Leadership Tri-Cities, he was president of the LTC Alumni Association and received the LTCAA Exemplary Leadership Award for his community involvement. He was a board member of the Three Rivers Folklife Society and looked forward to his annual participation with the Tumbleweed Music Festival. He loved his involvement in community theater, including shows with the Richland Players, Columbia Basin College and Mid-Columbia Musical Theater. He received an achievement award for 25years of dedicated service to the Players. Connie and Donna were members of Northwest United Protestant Church where he served as elder emeritus, deacon and board moderator. He also enjoyed singing in the NWUP choir and had sung with the No Half Measures.

Connie was a 60-year Master Mason and Past Master of Richland Lodge No. 283. He was an honorary member of Pioneer Lodge No. 39, Prince Hall Affiliate, and Benton Lodge No. 277. Connie also held memberships in Skykomish Lodge No. 259 as well as lodges in Texas, Utah and Montana. He served on committees for the Grand Lodge of Washington and was District Deputy of the Grand Master. Connie served as Venerable Master of the Scottish Rite Valley in Kennewick and was coroneted an Inspector General Honorary. He was awarded the Legion of Honor (Honorary) from DeMolay International. He was a member of The Royal Order of Scotland, The Masonic Society, the Phylaxis Society, the Scottish Rite Research Society, the Texas Lodge of Research and was a Scottish Rite Master Craftsman graduate.

He collected antique glassware, focusing on items manufactured by the long-defunct H.C. Fry Glass Company in Rochester, Pennsylvania. He loved traveling with Donna. He also took advantage of his professional travels with IABC and FEMA to explore historic places, see new sights and sit in Masonic Lodges in communities far and wide.

Connie treasured his kids and grandkids as well as the plethora of cats that Donna and others brought into his life. He loved life and the adventures that being alive offered him each day. There were things he missed: being a more attentive father and grandfather and playing more softball.

• A celebration of life is scheduled for August 27, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. at Einen’s Event Center at Sunset Gardens. Please join us if you are able.