Stephen Eckrich

Stephen R. Eckrich, 63 of Carlisle, went to be with spirit in the sky on January 19, 2022 at his residence after complications from a relapse of alcoholism.
Steve was born August 30, 1958, in Carlisle to the late Ruth Betty (Plew) Eckrich and Harry Conrad Eckrich Sr.
He graduated from Carlisle High School in 1976. While in high school, Steve worked in the mess hall at the Carlisle Barracks. After graduating, he enrolled in college in Ohio, ultimately hoping to work with computers and electronics. He left before finishing, but would later make up for it.
He next went on to work a number of jobs through a temp agency, primarily in manufacturing and briefly as an apprentice diesel mechanic. In 1982, he began working for the Hal Kivlan Sales Agency, where he worked as the Warehouse Manager until 1985. After that, he briefly opened and operated his own electronics shop, T.E.A.M. (Total Electrical and Mechanic) Services, while independently resuming his studies.
In October 1990, he began working for R. T. Grim Electronics, where he excelled as a computer and electronics wizard until his departure in 2006. It was there that he was recognized by the Electronics Technicians Association, International and the then Central Community College of Nebraska as a Journeyman CET (certified electronics technician) in 1994, an achievement that formally recognized the completion of studies he’d started over a decade before. After his career in electronics, he worked for several years as a tax preparer for Liberty Tax, and was retired in 2020.
Steve’s favorite thing in life was to drive his friends and family crazy telling stories, from the true to the trivial to the utterly absurd, second only to spirited debates and talking circles around whomever he could. Surprising no one in particular who knew him, he tested into Mensa in 1998, and while he never formally joined the society, he im-Mensa-ly enjoyed any opportunity to tell anyone about it. He also loved to give unsolicited advice and had an unparalleled ability to ignore eye rolls, objections, and sighs of resignation. He was a man with a lot to share.
Another great love of Steve’s was music. He loved his guitar and enjoyed sharing his knowledge of music theory and history with anyone who showed any interest, interest not necessarily required. He always turned the radio up way too loud in the car, and was notorious for singing so loudly in the shower that it could drown out the TV on the other side of the house, regaling his family, and at times his neighbors, with a range of songs from “Only You (And You Alone)” to Monty Python’s “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.”
Ultimately, there were many versions of Steve, and these were the best. The stories left untold carry the weight of his untimely passing.
Steve is survived by his wife and partner of nearly 43 years, Karen (Herman) Eckrich, and their three daughters, Sarah Eckrich of Lock Haven, Amy Eckrich, and Samantha Eckrich of New Bedford, MA; and their daughter’s recently discovered older brother, Paul Burkholder (Liz); as well as a brother, Harry “Chuck” Eckrich Jr. of Wilkes-Barre; two half-sisters, Tara Shields (Dean) and Tonya Shepherd (Will) of Alexandria, LA; and innumerous members of a large and loving extended family. He was preceded in death by both of his parents; as well as a sister, Sandy (Cassandra) Eckrich; a niece, Virginia Eidenschink; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, Steve would want you to learn a joke or find another way to make someone else smile, even when you’re having a bad day.
Those of us Steve left behind would like you to tend to your own smile first, something he never learned to do, and which drove him back to the alcoholism that stole his life.
If you feel stuck, angry, depressed, or addicted, it’s not your fault. You’re not alone and you don’t have to hide it. There are people who care about you, including strangers, who want to help. If you’re alive, it’s not too late to try, and you’re worth that. You’re worth as many tries as it takes; that’s how you learn to not merely survive but instead prevail.
In lieu of flowers, we ask you take those words to heart and if you can, to use them to help yourself or someone else who is struggling. We can think of no better way to honor Steve’s life, and it would have been an honor to Steve to be a part of making someone’s life better.
Services will be private and at the convenience of the family.
To sign the guestbook, please visit www.HoffmanFH.com.