He was born in Kilbourne, OH on November 19th 1942 and grew up in and around Ashley and Delaware, OH. He moved to Whitehall, Ohio the summer of 1959 where he met the love of his life Tricia and they married Dec of 1962. They were looking forward to celebrating their 60th anniversary in December.

He graduated from Whitehall Yearling High School in 1961. Then joined the Air Force and served for 4 years.

After the Air Force Fred and Tricia moved back to OH for 5 years and he worked for PPG Industries. During that time they decided they no longer liked the cold weather and moved to Arizona. While living in Arizona he worked for the copper mines and earned his Associates Degree in Industrial Electricity. He and Tricia were also foster parents for 5 years.

In 1977 he decided to move to Florida to work for Disney, and so he did for 32 years. During that time he was awarded the “Outstanding Idea of The Year”, which modified the cannons in Pirates of The Caribbean, and also received the “Partners in Excellence” award.

Few people knew he loved music and played many instruments including guitar, keyboard and clarinet. He especially loved the flute and had acquired many. He held 2 Patents and wrote a short book called “Before Life Before”. He was a long standing member of the Rosicrucian Order, AMORC.

He had a quick wit and a wonderful sense of humor and playfully spelled his name “Phred” during his years at Disney.

Fred is survived by his wife Tricia (Rader) Ecker, their children Cathy (Greg) Cardwell, Tina (Tony) Duhe, Fred (Nickii) Ecker, son-in-law Marshall Mills, brothers Ronald (Ron) (Shirley) Bailey, Edward (Dean)(Jennie) Ecker, Stanley (Stan) Ecker and brother-in-laws Edward (Ed) Rader and Richard Taylor, as well as 8 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his daughter Robin Mills, his parents Fred & Frances Ecker, his brother David (Larry) Ecker, his sister Katherine (Kathy) Dean and sister-in-law Nancy Taylor.

Friends and family are invited to attend a Celebration of Life on September 10th at 11:00 AM at the Clubhouse at 1744 Challenger Ave, Davenport, FL 33897.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in his memory to Vitas Hospice, Davenport, FL (www.vitas.com) for the compassionate and wonderful care they gave to Fred and Tricia.