Howard Lewis Eckel Jr.

Howard was born November 22, 1930, in Syracuse, NY, to Ethel Rixon Eckel and Howard L. Eckel Sr. He moved often during his childhood, but the Syracuse area was always where he called home. After graduating from Nottingham High School in Syracuse he attended Syracuse University. He then transferred to the State University of New York, Agriculture and Technical Institute in Alfred, NY, graduating with an associate’s degree in applied science.

He was a veteran and served during the Korean Conflict from 1954 through 1955 in Temple Texas.

After returning from his army service, he joined his father at Eckel Nursery in Cicero, NY. He then worked for White Nursery in Trumansburg, NY. In 1963, he joined the Davey Tree Expert Company. Upon his retirement from Davey Tree in 1986, he was executive vice president of the Kent Operating Company. Howard was proud of his business advice book he authored Growing and Staffing Your Business, which is still popular today.

Howard was married to Marjorie (Yetman) Eckel who preceded him in death in 1997. He is survived by his brother Robert Eckel (Mary) and his children Peter L. Eckel (Jennifer), Jeffrey W. Eckel (Kristyn) Jennifer E. Stoner (Reid). Forever cherished by his five grandchildren, Elizabeth Piotrowski, Maddy Eckel, Allison Stoner, Evan Stoner, and Eleanor Eckel. He had four great great-grandchildren, Charles, Calvin, Vivian, and Graham. He had four nephews, Mark Eckel, Jim Eckel, Mark Miller, and Andy Miller and one niece Sara Eckel. Four stepchildren, Diana Moore Means, Meredith Kobzik (Jay), Susan Webster Moore and John N. Moore (Sue). He was preceded in death by his second wife Beth Furman Eckel, and his brother John Eckel (Eileen).

Howie and Marge delighted in living onboard their Grand Banks trawler for 15 years touring the intercoastal waterway and spending winters in Marathon, Fl. When he wasn’t boating, he was an avid woodworker and made furniture, grandfather clocks, and many other items.

Twenty years ago, he started spending summers at his cottage on the shores of Lake Ontario in Selkirk, NY. He and Beth spent every summer there and made many lasting connections at the cottage. It truly was his special place and he loved being there. Beth and Howie lived in St. Michael’s, MD, where he assisted her in the running of the food pantry at Christ Church St. Michael’s Parish.

Howie will be remembered at two separate events this summer – one held at his cottage in Selkirk, NY, and one in Annapolis, MD.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Tree Care Industry Association, https://www.tcia.org/TCIA/TCIA/TCIAF/Donate.aspx

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared on this website for the Eckel family.