After serving four years in the United States Air Force, Mr. Eckert attended the University of Dayton and Ohio State University. He was a life member and former trustee of the Dayton Museum of Natural History.
Mr. Eckert, author of 40 published books, was nominated on seven separate occasions for the Pulitzer Prize in literature. He was the recipient in 1985 of an honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, from Bowling Green State University. Wright State University presented him with a second honorary degree, also in Humane Letters, in 1998.
During his career, Mr. Eckert also published more than 150 articles, essays and short stories, as well as screenplays for several movies. His works have been translated into 13 foreign languages.
At the time of his death, he was working on his latest book, “The Infinite Dream,” part of his “The Winning America” series. It should be released at the end of the summer.
Mr. Eckert also authored another book titled “The Ultimate Treasure,” which was slated to be released in 2012. At this time, officials at the Jesse Stuart Foundation said the new date of release has not been determined.
Mr. Eckert is survived by his wife, Joan.
He lived in Bellefontaine for several years.
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