Kris William Eckert, Sr., beloved father, brother, and friend, passed away at McLaren Macomb Hospital on August 2, 2017.

Born in Mount Clemens on August 10, 1958, to the late Carl and Lois (Vierk) Eckert, Kris settled in his hometown, where he married Evelyn Kay Baker. Together, they raised two children, Kris William Eckert II of Warren, Michigan, and Lynn Eckert of Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Kris was employed as a pipefitter by Chrysler, where he worked at the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant, and he earned an Associate of Arts degree from Baker College. In his free time, he volunteered with his church, St. Peter Lutheran in Macomb, read voraciously, enjoyed barbequing and smoking various meats, tended to his cherished dogs, Thor and Lady, and pursued trivia with a singular passion. Kris was an avid outdoorsman, and he especially cherished the memories of his hunting and fishing trips with friends and family. Fiercely opinionated, Kris would enter into heated debates with just about anyone, but his wry sense of humor softened this side of him. Kris was a truly unique person, and he will be deeply missed.

Kris is survived by his son, Kris William Eckert II, and daughter, Lynn Eckert, and her partner, Dr. Andrea Knittel. He is also survived by his dear sister, Dana Lennier, and her husband, Robin Lennier, also of Mount Clemens. He is preceded in death by his wife of more than thirty years, Evelyn Eckert, and parents, Carl and Lois Eckert.

The family will host a wake at Granite City Food & Brewery in Troy (699 W. Big Beaver Road) from 4:30 to 7 pm of August 19. The event will be casual, and all are invited to attend to celebrate Kris's life. Please contact Lynn Eckert (eckertl@gmail.com or 734.353.6913) for further details.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Detroit Dog Rescue, the first no-kill rescue shelter in Detroit, in Kris's memory.