Richard Allen Eckert Sr.

Richard "Dick" Allen Eckert Sr., 90, of Ocean Springs passed away on July 7, 2025. 

Dick was born on April 16, 1935 at Fort Lewis, Washington. He came from a military family. He graduated from Jesuit High School in New Orleans in 1954 and from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Col. Norman J. Eckert and Mildred Eckert, as well as two brothers, Col. Edward N. Eckert and Lt. Col. William N. Eckert. 

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth "Liz"; three daughters, Kay Smith (Craig), Ann Bruffey (Michael), Marie Williams (Michael) and three sons, Richard A. Eckert Jr. (Lori), Michael P. Eckert (Lynne), and Steven N. Eckert (Caron); 13 grandchildren, Carson Kadi (Kaeli), Catherine Smith, Mark Eckert, Elise Eckert, Julia Bruffey, Emma Bruffey, Jacob Bruffey (Caroline), Olivia Williams, Andrew Williams, Daniel Williams, Claire Williams, Christopher Dekle, Caroline Dekle, and great-grandchild, Camille Bruffey. He enjoyed family get-togethers where the theme was “let the fun begin”.

He married the love of his life, Elizabeth (Liz) Hymel, a 1957 graduate of Dominican High School in New Orleans, on December 28, 1960. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army. He served honorably in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Army Reserve, achieving the rank of Captain. After service, he worked for Honeywell in Florida and retired from Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula in 1999. Before and after retirement, he was active in his church, including St. Alphonsus and St. Vincent de Paul, and supported Catholic education and the Diocese of Biloxi in various areas, as well as being a true patriot of American Legion Post 42. For many years, he represented Post 42 and attended many funerals of fallen soldiers at Biloxi National Cemetery. He enjoyed watching the New Orleans Saints, especially their Super Bowl XLIV win, SEC college football, and Mississippi State baseball, notably when they won the 2021 College World Series. 

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A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Biloxi, with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 14, 2025, at Biloxi National Cemetery with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be designated to one of the following: St. Alphonsus Elementary School Scholarship Fund, Biloxi SVDP Pharmacy, or the Diocese of Biloxi Seminarian Trust Fund. Mail donations to St. Alphonsus Church, 502 Jackson Ave., Ocean Springs, MS, 39564.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, West Jackson County, is honored to serve the family. An online guestbook may be signed and memories shared at www.riemannfamily.com .