Donald Eckmann Obituary

It has been 33 years now that Lake Michigan water has been provided for DuPage County through the large major water pipelines, the Elmhurst pumping station and large water storage tanks, all facilities designed and overseen in construction and operation by Don Eckmann the Chief Engineer at Alford, Burdock and Howson, Consulting Engineers. Without this highly reliable system DuPage County would not have thrived in its growth or been able to meet the water supply needs moving off of groundwater.
As in my previous comments every time I pass the two large storage tanks on 75th Street at the eastern edge of Naperville I think of Don and this is his legacy as an outstanding civil engineer. He loved the American Society of Civil Engineers and as a Fellow in this organization I am proud to have joined him in this membership.
Thanks, Don, for our friendship and professional association.
Allan L. Poole P.E. BCEE, Fellow ASCE

Every time I drive on 75th Street in Naperville and see the large DuPage Water Commission water storage tanks I think of Don Eckmann. He was an extraordinary and consummate civil engineer and my friend. As Utilities Director for the City of Naperville from 1972-2010 I knew Don for over 20 years and considered him an outstanding engineer. Together with Bob Martin, City Manager of Elmhurst the three of us negotiated the water purchase contract with the City of Chicago in the 1980's. As the large water storage tanks are the only visual physical structures for the DWC they stand as a monument to Don.

It was 31 years ago in l992 that Lake Michigan water came to DuPage Country and the infrastructure that Don and his associates at Alford, Burdick and Howson designed has performed magnificently. Don was the project engineer and he and I as Naperville Commissioner for 22 years attended so many, many DWC meetings over the years.

Everyone will remember Don as a friendly person always smiling and laughing. He was a proud Fellow member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, as I am to. For me I will never forget Don as a fellow engineer and friend.
Allan L Poole, P.E BCEE

It has been six years now since Dons passing and I think of him often when driving on 75th Street and viewing the large DuPage Water Commission water storage tank. What a marvelous project he directed which has provided a reliable and quality Lake Michigan water supply for Naperville and DuPage county cities and villages for the past 27 years since 1992. He stated in 1992 this was one of the most prestigious projects ever constructed in the Chicago Metropolitan Area which would benefit the citizens of DuPage County in perpetuity

His legacy is a great one for being the most important individual on this outstanding project and I am proud to known Don and worked with him as a DWC Commissioner and City of Naperville Utilities Director.

I lost Dorothy my wife of 56 years this March and received a most consoling message from Arlene remembering our many meetings over the years. I know the grief of losing your spouse and the remembering of the past and know that Arlene thinks often of Don. He was a dear friend and fellow Civil Engineer. I will keep remembering him as I pass by the DWC water structure on 75th Street.

Allan L Poole P.E BCEE
Naperville, Illinois

Our deepest sympathy for your loss. We will miss Dons's happy smile along the shores of Manson Lake.
Your next door neighbors The Rauscherts and Johnson's

My sincerest condolences on the passing of Don into his heavenly home. He was the consumate professional engineer and was always encouraging of my ASCE activities. I will miss his laugh, his wisdom, and his Illinois survey camp stories. I am better man for having known Don.

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.

I am very sorry to hear of Don's passing and send my deepest sympathy to his family and community. Don and I worked together on several ASCE and EJCDC endeavors. He was always upbeat, cheerful and energetic and such a pleasure to work with. He shared his knowledge and experience freely and it was a joy to work on solutions with him. My condolences - Don will be missed. Kathy Caldwell

Mr. Eckmann was the consummate engineer. His love for the profession was reflected in everything he did. We at AB&H/Donohue will miss his wealth of experience and eye for detail.

Our sympathy to Arlene and the family. Sorry we could not attend the funeral because I am in Africa.

My deepest sympathy for your loss.
I had only met Don within the past year during an ASCE EJCDC meeting and found him to be a very energetic, passionate and dedicated man. He provided much knowledge and leadership to ASCE and the engineering profession, and I thank him for his many years of service.
He will be missed dearly and remembered fondly.

ASCE Region 1 Director and EJCDC Board Liaison

Dear Mrs. Eckmann,
I was sorry to hear of Mr. Eckmann passing. My deepest condolences and sympathies to you and your family. I always admired Mr. Eckmann's dedication and commitment to helping the agencies he was associated with serve their communities.

Dear Mrs. Eckmann, Pam, David, and Lora,
Deepest sympathy to you and your families on the passing of Mr. Eckmann. May God be with you today and in the days to come.

I remember Don as a great University of Illinois alum, always flying the orange and blue. He once gave me an official U of I tooth brush since he knew I was an avid U of I fan. I will miss him, but I know with full confidence he is with his and our Savior and I will be with him at some future time.

I was saddened to hear of the passing of Mr. Don Eckmann. I work for him at Downers Grove Sanitary District and had many great interactions with him. He cared about all of our customers and workplace so much. I will be a better person and leader at Downers Grove Sanitary District because of Don. He made a big impact in the short time I have known him. I am sorry for your loss. He will be missed.

Dear Eckmann Family- I was so sorry to read of the passing of Don. My sister,brother, and I, and our families send our prayers of comfort to you at this difficult time. We have such great memories of our lives in Denburn Woods with all of you and our wonderful neighborhood. Don will be missed.
May God hold you a little bit closer today and in the days to come, The Anderson Kids : Nancy & Tom Towers, Lynn & Ed Putz, Paul & Debbie Anderson

Arlene, Pam, David, Lora
So sorry about the passing of Don, I had no idea he was so sick, when I was late to work I always took the
train with him, and teased him about those ECKMANN
buns, When I talked about Arlene making the Eckmann
buns, he had the biggest smile on his face, the last time
we talk about the ECKMANN Buns, he said one of his
granddaughters were following the Eckmann tradition
and learning how to make the Eckmann buns, he said she was doing a great job. Don, will surely be missed,
I will always cherish the conversations on the train, he was a fun person.
Love
Donna McKenzie

I have known Don since 1975 when he and two other engineers inviewed me for acceptance as a Diplomate in the American Academy of Environmenal Engineers. From that day forward I always looked up to Don as an outstanding Civil Engineer. His major role as Manager for the Lake Michigan Water Supply Project for DuPage County is now legendary. I remember well as Utilities Director for the City of Napeville going along with Don and Bob Martin, City Manager of Elmhurst to meet with the Water Commissioner of the City of Chicago to negotiate the water suppply contract which later was approved. This was monumental for providing DuPage County with a reliable and permanent water supply. He will be remembered for the great civil engineering project and his leadership role.

Don really enjoyed his role on the Downers Grove Sanitary District and he was a great choice to be on their Board

I remember Don as an avid Illini football fan who attended every game. Several times my wife Dorothy and I were invited by Don and Arlene to attend the Illinois-Iowa game at Champaign (Iowa being my alumni) It was always fun no matter who won. His awards from the Univesity of Illinois as an outstanding graduate were so well deserved.

I remember Don from our many meeting on the Lake Michigan Water Supply Project and DuPage Water Commission monthly meetings over many years as an articulate and technically sound engineer. He was outgoing,friendly, and had a jovial laugh. He always wore his American Society of Civil Engineering (ASCE) tire tack an organization he very much was involved with and enjoyed. Also, being an ASCE Fellow Member I respected his devotion to this organization and its principles.

Remembering Don is easy beause he was a wonderful person and as a fellow engineer I always enjoyed our many meetings and association.

I will miss Don and was saddened to hear of his passing and his long battle with cancer. He most certainly had a good life with Arlene and family and has contributed postively to mankind as a true Civil Engineer. I can say he was real friend and fellow civil engineer. I have been fortunate to know Don. My sincere sympathy to Arlene and family on Don's passing.

Allan and Dorothy Poole
44 Starling Lane
Naperville, Illinois