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Memorial Keepers(1)
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Dana Eckfield
Eric's Spouse
Eric Bryan Eckfield
October 9th, 1966 - December 10th, 2025
October 9th, 1966 - December 10th, 2025
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. — Ralph Waldo Emerson
Eric Bryan Eckfield, 59, passed away in Salem, OR, on December 10, 2026, due to complications from Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). He was born to Ronald and Sharon Eckfield on October 9, 1966, in San Francisco, California, and grew up in Coos Bay, Oregon. Eric received Bachelor’s degrees in Business and Construction Engineering Management from Oregon State University. While at OSU he was active with Kappa Delta Rho Fraternity and met his future wife, Dana. Eric began his career with Emerick Construction in Portland, Oregon, and later worked for Day CPM, OTAK, and WENEHA Group.
Eric and Dana welcomed their son, Michael, in 1995, and enjoyed introducing him to the Oregon Coast, fishing, camping, archery, boating, music, and sports. Eric helped coach Michael’s various baseball teams for years and was his biggest fan. When Michael moved to Colorado to attend CSU, Eric and Dana made the most of the 2-day drive to visit him, took part in college activities, and enjoyed discovering the Ft. Collins area. And even though he spent long days remodeling and building new schools and facilities throughout Oregon and SW Washington, Eric also installed new windows, flooring, decking, and built a second bathroom in their Salem home. When he wasn’t working on some type of a construction project, Eric loved bow-hunting, cooking on his Traeger grill, and sampling wines from all over the World.
He is survived and sorely missed by his wife of 36 years, Dana, son Michael and daughter-in-law Esther of Ft. Collins, CO, his sister Sara in Texas, father in LaPine, OR, and his mother and uncle Bob Allen in Tieton, WA. Eric was a loving husband and father, as well as a devoted son, uncle, and friend. Donations in his memory can be made to the OHSU Foundation Brain Institute Research.
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Tributes
Share a favorite memory, send condolences, and honor Eric’s life with a heartfelt message.
Sharon Magnuson
I am grateful to my dear friends' spouses, who always let our group get together and have fun. On the occasion of this photo in October 2023, Eric was with us, and we knew it was very challenging for Dana with his care at this point. The thing about Eric, is the twinkle in his eye and his playful and mischievous personality. I'll always love OSU construction engineers, and it was neat to follow Eric as such after graduation and into his career. Not that I'm a hunting or venison fan, but I also remember Dana making delicious elk gyros for the OSU Foundation (or was it just a small group of us) -- very yummy! Take care, Dana, Michael & Esther, family, and friends. May your hearts be healed and made whole again.
Matt Triplett
My brother, best man, roommate, drinking buddy, Atari 2600 master, guitar collaborator, creator of naughty song lyrics, conspirator, fellow concert enthusiast, and golf instigator. And that just scratches the surface of the far too many great times we had and stories to tell. I owe you so much for so many of the things in life that we joyfully shared together, my friend. You looked out for this city kid who was a fish out of water up the river. You introduced me to my wonderful future ex-wife and mother of my children, you brought me to OSU and KDR, and with Dana showed me how to appreciate good wine and the outdoors. Mostly, though, I look up to you. You’ve shown me how to be kind, funny, thoughtful, hard-working, and earnest. I’m grateful to you and I miss you, Eric. - Matt.
Frank Morse
Eric joined Ed Wright to make a trip with me and other friends in early November to our remote cabins on Quesnel Lake in British Columbia. One of the more memorable events was Eric saving our boat from drifting away which would have stranded us 10 miles from the cabins in sub freezing weather and non of us had any means to build a fire or communicate for help. And no other boats on the lake. He was a great guy and a joy to be around.
Rick Fuller
I met Eric while we were working at DAY CPM, and what began as a workplace connection quickly grew into a friendship built on shared passions — project management, wine, hunting, fishing, our great marriages and time paddling on the water. I came to deeply respect his competence, steady work ethic, and the kind of leadership that made people want to follow him. We let off steam and shared plenty of laughs over more than one pint, and I’ll always hold close the memory of our last paddle together on the Willamette. Eric was the kind of man who left an imprint simply by being himself, and he will be missed.
Sharon Sedgwick (Eric's mom)
Eric was always a blessing. He was always happy. As he grew older he still wanted to please and learned what not to do. By teens I became worried that he never did anything wrong. When he left for collage I was cleaning his room, putting things back in the closet and discovered a bottle of booze on the upper shelf. I was elated!! My child wasn't perfect! He was just very smart and clever to keep some things from his parents. He grew into a very special person that was always thinking of keeping those around him happy. He will be missed. May he rest in peace.
Marge Wright
It's hard for me to wright my thoughts about Eric. As my daughter's husband, he was my friend. I know him as a good husband and father, a person of insight and a dreamer. I will miss him, but will remember the good days and fun times.
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