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| Home > News > Dr. George
P. Eckes, Sr. - "Ageless Hero" |
| Teachers Park Ave Residence salutes resident Dr. George P. Eckes, Sr.,
who has been selected a Minnesota "Ageless Hero". The award program, sponsored
by Blue Cross and Blue Shield, is to recognize the achievements of "inspirational
figures who serve as living proof that maturity can be a time of vitality
and creativity, overcoming challenges and helping the community, pursuing
knowledge and guiding the lives of young people." |
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During World War II at age 17 George enlisted in the Navy as Apprentice
Seaman and 27 years later retired as Captain. He performed with the Navy
Big Band of Artie Shaw, and, after the war, was leader/vocalist of his own
16-piece band. George has, in retirement, directed skills from all his numerous
careers - musician, radio announcer, big band vocalist, Broadway dancer/actor,
Naval officer, professor emeritus, lecturer and mental health clinic director
- to meet the needs of others. He served with the Peace Corps in Nicaragua
and volunteers for Habitat for Humanity.
George teaches stress management and "Quit Smoking" classes and conducts
group therapy for Vietnam veterans at the V. A. Medical Center. He is a
consultant and oral historian with the U.S. Navy. He was selected "most
outstanding lecturer" from passengers of eight cruise lines and is in big
demand for presentations to high schools, universities, and retiree clubs
on topics such as "Broadway musicals", "Foreign policy", and "Aging
successfully". George directs a choral group "The Swinging Sailors", mentors
inner-city children, serves food to the homeless, volunteers for political
candidates, teaches acting to young people and performs in community theaters.
"It's better to retire to something, than from something," counsels George!
--reprinted from the summer 1999 edition
of the Teachers Park Avenue Residence newsletter |
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