Craig Eckhardt passed away on June 19, 2026.
He graduated magna cum laude from the University of Colorado Boulder in 1962, where he was elected to the university’s Phi Beta Kappa chapter. He went on to Yale, where he earned his master’s in 1964 and his Ph.D. in 1967. He began his career at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln the same year and retired in 2017. During his career, Eckhardt was awarded a John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship, a Fulbright Senior Fellowship and several German Academic Exchange Fellowships (DAAD).
Over 50 years, Eckhardt advised 25 students to Ph.D.s. They ended up in a variety of careers.
“I enjoyed them more than I did the research,” he said. “I truly had a remarkable group of graduate students.”
He also maintained strong relationships with many of his peers.
“He is a great colleague, a great mentor, and an outstanding scientist,” faculty member (and current department chair) Jody Redepenning said in 2017. “But, he is also a dear friend.”
Read more about his career path and retirement.
A Celebration of Life Gathering will be from 4pm to 6pm, July 11 at The Founders Room on the 6th floor of The Scarlet Hotel, 2101 Transformation Dr.
