IN REMEMBRANCE
IN REMEMBRANCE : JOHN E . ECKERLE , MD SEPT . 30 , 1924-JULY 23 , 2020
John E . Eckerle , MD , passed from this life on July 23 ,
2020 at the age of 95 . He was born in Jasper , Indiana . He was preceded in death by his parents , Anton J . and Rosina Fink Eckerle , his three sisters , four brothers , their spouses , three nephews , one niece and one great nephew .
He was a 1942 graduate of Jasper High School . John was a charter member of the Jasper High School band and orchestra , playing the French horn . He was also a member of the Jasper Municipal ( City ) Band and the Hayesville Band .
During World War II , John served as a German interpreter in several prisoner of war camps in America and was an administrative non-commissioned officer . For his meritorious service , he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal .
John was a proud 1949 graduate of Purdue University where he obtained his Bachelor of Science degree , was active in student government and was a member of the military marching band .
In 1958 , he graduated from the University of Louisville School of Medicine and did his hospital residency at St . Elizabeth Hospital in Dayton , Ohio .
Dr . Eckerle served as Medical Director at Reynolds Metal Co . in Louisville . During that time , he was instrumental in organizing the first Governor ’ s Conference on Occupational Health and Safety in the state of Kentucky . For this effort , he was awarded a membership in the Royal Order of Kentucky Colonels . He also served on the Kentucky Governor ’ s Council on Alcoholism in Industry . Other medical endeavors included surgical thoracic assistant at Silvercrest Hospital in New Albany , Indiana , and staff physician at Dupont Chemical Co . and General Electric Appliance Park . Dr . Eckerle established a primary care office on Frankfort Avenue in Louisville , a solo practice he sustained in excess of 30 years . During this time , he served on the Executive Committee of St . Anthony Hospital in Louisville , where he treated his patients . He was also a member of the medical staff of Kentucky Baptist Hospital , Highland Baptist Hospital , Baptist East Hospital and Suburban Hospital .
Medicine with the care of his patients was Dr . Eckerle ’ s life ’ s passion . He was a lifelong learner , and he kept his medical license current until the day of his passing .
Dr . Eckerle was a routine attendee of the Baptist East Hospital ’ s ( Baptist Health Louisville ’ s ) Grand Rounds . There , I got to know Dr . Eckerle . Besides all of the above , Dr . John was also a collector of Derby glasses , a topic that we frequently discussed .
Dr . Eckerle ’ s granddaughter related an incident that involved another Greater Louisville Medical Society member , Dr . Carl Coppola . As a “ lifelong learner ” with a thirst for medical knowledge , Dr . Eckerle and Dr . Coppola were at a hospital CME dinner together . Dr . Eckerle started choking , and Dr . Coppola “ saved his life ” by performing the Heimlich maneuver .
Dr . Eckerle is survived by his wife of 70 years , M . Margaret Davis Eckerle , his children , Diane Eckerle , John D . Eckerle ( Sheila Lee ), Judy E . Quinlan ( Tom ), Bruce T . Eckerle ( Kim ) and his heart-adopted son , Charlie Bacigalupi , seven grandchildren Jennifer M . Kessler ( Kelly ), Nathan F . Johnson , ( Lauren Gawthrop ), Claire Quinlan , Colleen Quinlan ( fiance ’ Jon Olsen ), Trey Quinlan ( Giselle ), Christin Eckerle , Catherine Eckerle and many cherished nieces , nephews and their families . -Kenneth C . ( Chuck ) Anderson , MD
Dr . Eckerle was a GLMS member for 60 years .
22 LOUISVILLE MEDICINE