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George Allen Eckhardt, age 77, passed away peacefully at home, with family by his side, on Nov. 30, 2023. George was born on May 23, 1946, in Worland, Wyoming, the eldest son of George and Bonnie Jean Eckhardt.
He grew up in the Powell and Cody area, residing on the Two Dot Feedlot, outside of Ralston. After graduating from Powell High School in 1964, George went on to the University of Wyoming, where he earned a mechanical engineering degree. He worked for the Taggart Construction Company, in Cody, Wyoming, during his summer breaks from college. Upon college graduation in 1968, he accepted a job with Colorado Fuel and Iron Steel Mill, in Pueblo, Colorado.
George met the love of his life, Pamela Souter, in 1974, through a fellow employee. They were married on Aug. 9, 1975. George and Pam raised two children, Scott and Katharina. Skiing and motorcycle riding were their hobbies they enjoyed together.
When the steel mill downsized, George began working for Colorado College in Colorado Springs. He was the assistant director of facilities and campus planner during his 40 year career there. George gained a master's degree in mechanical engineering during this time.
George was the recipient of the 2013 History Colorado Steven H. Hart President's Award for historic preservation of Colorado College historic buildings. He worked tirelessly rehabilitating, restoring, and had successfully nominated 13 buildings on the Colorado Campus for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Colorado College has many historic aspects which George enjoyed preserving and enhancing. One of George's greatest enjoyments came from the preservation of The Van Briggle Memorial Pottery building, which was dubbed, “A fine example of the benefits and beauty of historic preservation in the Colorado Springs Community."
Attending Colorado College hockey games began as soon as George learned there was an ice hockey team on campus and continued to the present. The grandchildren would attend with him and Pam.
George spent the summers fishing at Lizard Lake above Marble, Colorado, and brought home many a trout for dinner.
George was preceded in death by his parents George and Bonnie Jean (Andrews) Eckhardt. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Pam, his children, Scott (Sarah) Eckhardt of Colorado Springs, Katharina (Craig) Groves of Colorado Springs, a brother, Stuart (Debbie) Eckhardt of Powell and a sister Mary Elizabeth (Clint) Grue of Terry, Montana, six grandchildren, Cody, Christopher, Kaitlyn, David, Conrad and Bowen, and various nieces and nephews. George's children describe George as an amazing father and a selfless man of unusual integrity.
In lieu of flowers, any donations may be made to the Women's Educational Society of Colorado College, 14 East Cache La Poudre Street, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80903. A remembrance gathering will be held at Shove Chapel, on the Colorado College Campus, at 1 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 15.
