Thomas Roy Eckman

Thomas Roy Eckman, MD of Chapel Hill passed away on Monday, August 9th. He was born in Chicago on July 24, 1935 to the late Wilfred and Helen Eckman.
Tom attended high school at Campion Jesuit High School in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin; studied pre-med at Notre Dame University in South Bend Indiana; and graduated from Northwestern Medical School in Chicago.
After serving two years as an Air Force Captain in the practice of Obstetrics and Gynecology, he joined the staff at Passavant Memorial Hospital in Chicago, a teaching hospital connected to Northwestern Medical School. Along with his clinical practice and teaching he was part of a research team which worked to find a cure for choriocarcinoma.
Later years he was in private practice at Hinsdale Hospital and Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, Illinois. He started the “Share” program 33 years ago to assist families dealing with adverse outcomes of pregnancies.
Retiring to Chapel Hill he dedicated his time to volunteering at numerous organizations.
Thomas was preceded in death by his parents Wilfred Joseph and Helen Mildred [Henning] Eckman and younger sister, Joan Cilik. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary Alice Eckman [nee Ryan], son Peter Thomas Eckman, daughters Mary Elise Eckman and Mary Elizabeth [Dr. Mark Knelson], grandson Ryan Michael Dulude and his father, Michael Dulude; sisters Carol Ann [John Haulotte], Margaret [Dayton Gnau], Renella [Dr. Robert Geary] and Helen [Thomas Stanks]. He leaves behind his brothers-in-law and best friends John Crane and Donald Ryan as well as his sister-in-law Patricia Crane and numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, August 12th from 6:00pm – 8:00pm at Hall-Wynne Funeral Home in Durham, NC. A mass will be celebrated on 10:00 AM Friday, August 13th at St. Thomas More Church in Chapel Hill, with burial to follow immediately at Chapel Hill Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to one of the following non-profit:
Rosemoor Foundation; P.O. Box 1541, Murray Hill Station, New York, NY 10156-1541
Share Endowment, Good Samaritan Hospital; 3815 Highland Ave, Downers Grove, IL 6051
SECU Family House at UNC; 123 Old Mason Farm Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27517
Chapel Hill Carrboro Meals on Wheels; 632 Laurel Hill Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27514