Montville Mourns Fred Eckhardt

Former mayor Fred Eckhardt, who served Montville with pride and love for decades, has passed away.

   See Eckhardt reflects on years of service to the township.

When the 77 year-old Eckhardt, who died of natural causes on Tuesday at his home, first became Montville mayor in 1972, he sought to uphold Montville's agrarian roots while modernizing the community.  Over the next 17 years of his tenure as mayor, the rural township blossomed into an affluent suburb under Eckhardt's leadership and a master plan was established to control growth and preserve open space. Photo courtesy of Daily Record.

"Fred didn't want (the township) to develop in a haphazard fashion," said Robert "Doc" Purnell, a former mayor who served on the township committee with fellow Republican Eckhardt for 15 years. "What he wanted to do was present a town that was very nice to look at and very comfortable to live in. ... He set the groundwork for the future of Montville Township."

Current Mayor Deborah Nielson said Montville's recent national accolades — the township was twice named by Money magazine as one of the top 100 communities in the United States — are a testament to Eckhardt.  "It's a top-rated town in large part due to Fred's efforts over the years".  See Daily Record.

See also "Fred Eckhardt, longtime Montville mayor, is dead at 77" Star Ledger.

Donations may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and/or Special Olympics.

"When I wanted to get involved in public service, people said, 'Have you gone to see Fred Eckhardt? You have to see Fred Eckhardt if you want to do anything in Montville,"' she chuckled.

But Eckhardt, who spent many Sundays at the local 7/11 chatting with residents stopping by the store, was easy to find and dispensed valuable advice with his trademark gruff demeanor."I always used to call him the paper tiger," said Committeeman Art Daughtry, who worked with Eckhardt in the Montville Kiwanis. "He'd talk tough, he'd act tough but underneath it all, he had a big heart."

In a town known as a Republican bastion Eckhardt put politics aside and served all his constituents fairly, said Tom Mazzaccaro, executive director of the water and sewer department.

Committeewoman Jean Bader, the committee's sole Democrat, recalled meeting Eckhardt at her family's farm in Pine Brook when he was mayor. She remembered the stories he told during her first campaign in 2003.

"Fred cared about everyone regardless of political affiliations," Bader said. "He always had a smile and a joke to tell.'

As a longtime principal at Hazel Avenue School in West Orange, Eckhardt served on the township's board of education prior to joining the township committee in 1962.

He embraced children, and when he wasn't taking his own five children on camping trips, he was coaching Little League and wrestling and other sports, said Mazzaccaro.

Mazzaccaro, who served on the planning board during Eckhardt's tenure, became good friends with Eckhardt after a chance meeting at the township's trash dump in 1973.

"I had just moved here and one day I was there, and this guy comes over and starts helping me take stuff from my station wagon to throw into the disposal," Mazzaccaro reflected fondly. "I introduced myself to him and asked what he did. He said, 'I'm the mayor."'

For Michele Caron, chair of the township environmental commission, Eckhardt's housewarming gift to her Towaco home 20 years ago came in the form of a small plant and an introduction to volunteer in town.

Caron, who shared a joint interest with the environment and education with Eckhardt, honored her friend in 2008 at the township's Arbor Day service.

After 30 years in public service, Eckhardt, who remains the township's longest-serving mayor, retired in 1992.

He was inducted into the New Jersey State League of Municipalities Elected Officials Hall of Fame in 2001 and continued to be a fixture at municipal meetings until his health began to wane.

In February, Eckhardt was put in hospice care while battling diabetes and a heart ailment. He remained at home with Beverly, his wife of 57 years, who was his childhood sweetheart in Fairfield.

He died with his family by his bedside, said his daughter, Cheryl Meytrott of Montville.

Eckhardt is survived by his wife, Beverly; a sister, Linda Nazar of Montville; four children, Cathy, Rick, Cheryl and Lori; 17 grandchildren; one great-grandchild and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his daughter, Brenda.

Comments

[Michele Caron]

We should all leave the world a better place like Fred has. My heart mourns for his family and their loss. Fred so dearly loved his family and they him.

Montville will forever be a better place because of his many contributions. God Speed my friend!

We will all work to keep Montville the beautiful town you envisioned.

One of the final projects Fred was looking to achieve was for walking and bike path system throughout the town. With enough volunteers I am sure we can help make Fred's vision a reality. It would be a fitting tribute to a man who cared so much for the environment.

[Pat Ferrara]

Fred Eckhardt’s passing is a significant event in Montville Township’s history.

Our town’s best friend, Fred, devoted many years to both community service and energetic work as a very smart and creative member of the Montville Township Committee. During his tenure as Montville’s Mayor he carefully steered our town’s development and growth to benefit all our residents, resulting in the vibrant family-oriented community Montville is today.

The township services, local boards, civic, social, and sports organizations were receptive to the many ideas Fred germinated. He has said many times that the credit of what was accomplished in Montville were due to the hard work of dedicated volunteers, residents and township employees. We all know the truth….Fred was the inspiration….and the example…who grabbed the gloves to pitch in ….and got things done…..

Lisa Kintish of the Neighbor News wrote a recent article which recognized Fred as “Mr Montville”, a name he amply deserves. The article had a photo of Republican Club president Rich Moore presenting Fred with a NJ Assembly proclamation on the MANY years of service Fred graciously gave to our community.

All of our residents, from our youth….to our senior citizens… owe Fred a debt of gratitude, and will miss him.

Having worked closely with him for the past few years….very sadly…..so will I.

Pascal “Pat” Ferrara

[Ron]

Fred exemplified public service. His motives were pure love of his community and a desire to see it remain a wonderful place to live. The satisfaction of doing it so well was reward enough.

I feel fortunate to have enjoyed his friendship and encouragement and hope that the knowledge that their loved one did so much good for so many brings comfort to all of his family.