Ralph Roland Eckman, 92, of Damariscotta, passed away on Dec. 20 after a brief illness. Roland was born in St. Louis, Mo., on Sept. 27, 1926, the son of Irvin A. and Erna F. Eckman.
His family lived in St. Louis and moved to Denver, Col., in time for Roland to attend high school there, before returning to St. Louis. Roland served in the U.S. Merchant Marines during WWII in the Pacific Theatre. After the war, he joined the 82nd Airborne Division and became a medic.
After leaving the Army, he attended Columbia University in New York City and became a journalist, working for such newspapers as the Brooklyn Eagle, the New York World-Telegram and Sun, the Hartford Courant and the New York Times. After the last major newspaper strike in 1963, he joined PR Newswire, a financial news service, eventually becoming executive editor.
He moved his family, wife Margaret, and sons Andrew, John, and Thomas, from New York City to Connecticut in 1969. Upon retiring in the 1990s, Roland and Margaret stayed in Connecticut for a number of years before moving to Maine. Once settled into their new home in Maine, Roland enjoyed writing short articles on grammar and language usage, developing word games, and working crossword puzzles.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his youngest son, Thomas; and wife, Margaret.
He is survived by sons, Andrew and John, both of Maine; grandsons, Jonathan, Timothy, and Matthew; granddaughters, Brittany and Adrienne; and great-granddaughter, Skyla, all of whom live in Connecticut.
Per Roland’s wishes, there will not be a service.
Condolences, and messages for his family, may be expressed by visiting StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
