Linda M. Howard

Born in St. Louis, Missouri on November 4, 1948, the daughter of Joseph and Audrey (Schwake) Klahs. Raised and educated in St. Louis, MO, Linda graduated from Notre Dame High School and went on to become a registered Nurse.

She married Capt. Ralph J. Eckelkamp, Jr., USAF in 1970. They had one son when she was widowed in 1985. She had an exuberant passion for life and learning. She achieved her doctorate from Arizona State University and holds a master's degree from Webster University in St. Louis. Dr. Linda Howard was a Professor at the Fischler School of Education at Nova Southeastern University as well as an adjunct Professor at 13 colleges and universities. An accomplished woman dedicated to her work, Linda also served as Training Director of Missouri's largest health maintenance organization, Associate Dean at NSU, and Vice President for Human Resources for the Catalyst Group in St. Louis and Phoenix. Her book, The Pearson/Prentice Hall Certification Guide, was published in February 2004. She served as associate editor of the journal New Horizons in Adult Education . Her more recent work included designing and presenting executive education seminars in leadership and management in the south Florida business community. Linda lived life to the fullest, travelling the world including more than 25 countries. She snorkled the great barrier reef in Australia, ziplined through the rain forrest in Costa Rica, climbed the glaciers in Norway, savored the food in France and Italy, and volunteered as a hospice aid worker to young children in India's leprosey colonies. She loved reading, gardening and animals, especially her greyhounds that she would adopt from the rescue center. But her most proud and cherished achievements were being a mother and grandma to her two young grandsons.

Survived by her son, Joseph M. Eckelkamp and his wife, Nicole Eckelkamp, two grandsons, Joseph M. and Jack P. Eckelkamp. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Eckelkamp, Jr and her brother, Joseph Klahs.

Visitation on Thursday, June 6th from 6:00 ~ 8:00 P.M. at Fred Hunters Hollywood Memorial Home, 6301 Taft Street in Hollywood. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, June 7th at 11:00 A.M. at the Church of Little Flower 1805 Pierce Street in Hollywood. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Interment will be private.