Sandy was born on September 3, 1939, in Indianapolis, Indiana, the son of Dr. Arthur Paul Echternacht and Felice Lynn Walter Echternacht. He is survived by his four siblings Sally Madden, Brandt Echternacht (Harriett), Rick Echternacht (Connie) and Cindi Snow. He was loved by his two children Suzanne Echternacht Brogdon (Jack McTyre) and Scott Arthur Echternacht (Karen). Grand children (who referred to Sandy as “Rocky”) Jonathan Whitfield, Andrew Miller and Ashley Hodsden were all able to spend time with Sandy before he passed.
Sandy attended Fort Dodge High School in Iowa. While growing up he developed a love for all animals be it ones with four feet, two feet or no feet at all. His interest in reptiles and amphibians led him to an education that included a B.A. from the University of Iowa (1961), a M.S. from Arizona State University (1964) and his PhD. From the University of Kansas (1970).
He went on to a teaching position at Boston University and then the University of Tennessee at Knoxville where he taught from 1975 to his retirement in 2019. During his tenure at the University of Tennessee he served as the head of the Zoology Department and led its transition to today’s Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department (1985 – 1998). Sandy’s main fields of study were Ecology, Behavioral Ecology, Biological Invasions and Conservation Biology. During his time teaching, his students and his fellow faculty were a second family to him.
Outside of teaching Sandy was an avid music fan. A drummer himself, he volunteered at the Laurel Theatre concert venue regularly. He was never far from his love of animals be it his dogs, cats, birds and even a multi-generational family of raccoons he helped to raise at his home in South Knoxville.
His family remembers him as a caring man who lived a life putting others before himself while doing it with a sly sense of humor.
In Lieu of Flowers, gifts in memory of Sandy may be made to the EEB Enrichment Fund at UT. The link is http://giving.utk.edu. Click on Make Gift and enter the fund name (Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Enrichment Fund). A specific tribute can be made “in memory” or “in honor” of Dr. Sandy Echternacht.
Donations can also be made by check payable to the UT Foundation. On memo line: Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, in memory of Sandy Echternacht. Foundation address is: UT Foundation,1525 University Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37921.
The family will receive friends Thursday, January 15, 2026, between the hours of 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM in the chapel of Berry Funeral Home, 3704 Chapman Hwy, Knoxville, TN 37920.
Celebration of Life (The Final Herp Burp) will be held this spring with more details to come.
Online condolences may be shared with the Echternacht family at www.berryfuneralhome.com
