William David ("Dave") Eckard III passed on from this life on March 29, 2024.

Son of William David Eckard, Jr., and Phyllis Eckard (Hewett), he was born January 27, 1944, in Philadelphia.  Dave married his beloved Diane M. Eckard (Coffey Burns) in 1990, with whom he lived thirty-five years side-by-side.  Dave was raised in Holmes, where he served with the Holmes Volunteer Fire Company.  Dave graduated from Ridley High School in 1962 and Pennsylvania Military College in 1966, where he was a brother of Alpha Sigma Phi.  Dave married Judith Rehm (Twesten Eckard) in 1967.  As an Army officer, Dave served at the Aberdeen Proving Ground before his transfer to the United States Army Garrison Schweinfurt (Germany).  In Schweinfurt from 1967 to 1969, Dave served in the Third Army Division, 703rd Maintenance Battalion (headquartered in Wurzburg), was promoted to Captain, and served as Company Commander, Company C.  In 1969, Dave shipped off to Vietnam, where he served in Long Binh.  Dave always remembered how he lucky he was to be able to connect for Thanksgiving dinner, 1969, with his twin brother, Doug, who served in Vietnam at the same time.  Upon his return to the United States from Vietnam in 1970, Dave received an Honorable Discharge from the Army.  In the 1970's, Dave worked as a C.P.A. with Coopers and Lybrand and as Comptroller of Wilmington Trust. From 1981-1999, as Vice President for Finance and Administration of Widener University, Dave oversaw all facets of Widener's business and a very active period of institutional growth, including numerous capital projects such as the construction of the Leslie C. Quick, Jr. Stadium, and the opening of the Widener University Commonwealth Law School in Harrisburg.  Dave was always immensely proud to serve at Widener, the successor to his beloved Pennsylvania Military College. Each year, the William David Eckard, Jr. Award for Distinguished Service (created by Dave) is given to two longstanding employees for their commitment and outstanding service to the Widener community.  Always a staunch supporter of Widener's R.O.T.C. program, Dave was honored in 1992 to deliver the Veteran's Day Address to Widener's cadets.   After his service at Widener, Dave served as Chief Financial Officer of Rapid Learning Institute, founded by his son Glenn (a Widener graduate).  Dave was truly all Delco for all his years, having been raised in Holmes, schooled in Ridley and Chester, then living in Prospect Park, Ridley Park and Wallingford until his passing.  Dave spent years in service to Delaware County, including as a member of the Delaware County Economic Development Oversight Board and with the Delaware County Historical Society.  Dave retired after leaving Rapid Learning Institute and enjoyed his time with Diane and an occasional visit to Atlantic City.  Dave was overjoyed in 1990 with the addition of Diane's daughter, Erin, to his life, who he loved and cared for as his daughter in every respect. In years past, Dave and Diane enjoyed watching Dave's son, Mark, entertain in bars, often with surprise after-midnight visits to Mark's summer gigs down the shore.  Dave's family thanks the supremely skilled, professional and compassionate staff of Riddle Hospital, who cared for Dave in his last days.

Dave is survived by his wife, Diane M. Eckard (Coffey Burns); children, Glenn David Eckard (Lisa Eckard (Cucchi)), Mark William Eckard, and Erin Diane Downey (Burns) (Matthew Downey); grandchildren David Anthony Eckard, Justin William Eckard, Brian Matthew Downey, Campbell Olivia Eckard, Seamus Edward Downey, and Kayla Diane Downey; and his twin brother, Sydney Douglas Eckard.

Services honoring Dave's life will be private.