Eckman

Charles Lentz Eckman, 60, of Valencia passed away Saturday at the H. John Heinz III Progrerssive Care Center, Aspinwall Veterans Affairs Medical Center, after a prolonged illness.

Born in Albuquerque, N.M., Oct. 9, 1948, Charles came to Pittsburgh in 1955. He lived in Gibsonia and attended school in the Richland School District.

Charles was the son of the late Florence Eckman Becker and Edward Becker and is survived by his three brothers, Clem Eckman and Edward and John Becker of Valencia.

Charles joined the Navy and served from 1965 to 1969, serving in the Antisubmarine Squadron Three. During his Navy service, Chuck also assisted in the retrieval of the Apollo astronauts following splashdown.

Following his Navy service, Charles became active in the peace and counter-culture movement of the late 1960s. During a peace protest in Washington D.C., Charles worked as a medical corpsman driving an ambulance to assist both protesters and police in the crowd.

Throughout his life, Charles had a passion for the outdoors. In addition to working as a landscaper in Florida, Charles also spent two years mining crystals in Arkansas. His other interests included hiking, camping, carving walking sticks and reading.

Prior to being admitted to the Mechling Shakely Center and Aspinwall Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charles worked for five years at the 7-Eleven in Mars.

Affectionately known as "Hippie" for wearing his tye-dyed shirts and headband, Charles was known for his friendly and fun personality. Once, while cutting the grass at the 7-Eleven, Charles cut a large peace sign into the hillside with the mower.

Loved by both family and friends, Charles will be dearly missed.

ECKMAN -- A memorial reception for Charles Lentz Eckman, who died Saturday, March 14, 2009, will be held from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Valencia United Methodist Church Social Hall, 66 Almira St., Valencia, 724-625-2330.In lieu of flowers donations are being given to the Mechling-Shakely Veterans Center, Attn. Hopeton A. Thompson, Mechling-Shakley Veterans Center, 1413 State Route 268, Cowansville, PA 16218.Arrangements are under the direction of the MCDONALD-AEBERLI FUNERAL HOME INC., 238 Crowe Ave., Mars; and condolences are available at www.mcdonald-aeberli.com.