1922 – 2009
COL Richard E. Eckert was mobilized for WW II as a Private in Co E, 137th Inf and sent to Camp Robinson, AR. In 1943 he completed OCS and the U. S. Army Parachute School at Ft. Benning, GA. He served as a Rifle Platoon Leader in the 11th Airborne Division in the Pacific Theater during the rest of WW II. In 1948 he re-joined the 137th Inf and served on the 35th Division Staff, while having a great teaching and coaching career. A founder of the KSARNG OCS, he served as its Commandant and as the KSARNG Chief of Staff. After retirement, he served as a Kansas State Representative. His awards include the Legion of Merit, Parachute Badge, and the WW II Victory Medal. He passed away in 2009.