April 30, 2001

George A. Ecker, an emeritus professor of agricultural economics, died March 17 after a long illness.

Ecker, who grew up in East Hartford, received his bachelor of science from UConn in 1943. He then served in the U.S. Army as a medic prior to returning to the University to earn his master's in agricultural economics.

He joined the UConn faculty as an associate professor in 1958, after spending 12 years working on a dairy farm in Vernon. He earned his Ph.D. in economics at the University of North Carolina at Raleigh in 1964.

"He was very good in his work and was highly regarded both personally and professionally," says Stewart Johnson, a retired professor of agricultural economics who taught Ecker in the mid-1940s and later worked with him as a colleague.

Ecker also worked as an extension specialist, helping farm owners throughout the state with taxes and estate planning. He retired from the University in 1983.

Ecker was a member of the First Congregational Church of Storrs for more than 40 years. He is survived by his wife, Betsy Staples Ecker, a son, a daughter, and three grandchildren.

A memorial service was held at the Storrs Congregational Church. Donations may be made to the Storrs Congregational Church Building Maintenance Fund, Storrs, CT 06280, or to the American Lung Society, at 45 Ash St., East Hartford, CT 06108.

Rebecca Stygar