Kenneth Lee Echternacht

A proud United States Navy veteran, Ken served honorably from 1958 to 1960. With a passion for protecting our nation’s tropical waters and estuaries, he worked as an oceanographer, a hydrographic engineer with the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation, and, finally, as an engineering consultant. Ken attended Florida State University, the University of Virginia, and Florida International University, where he received a B.S. in Meteorology, an M.S. in Oceanography, a Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences, a B.S. in Civil Engineering, and a B.S. in Studio Art. However, his true passion was as an artist and teacher, creating realistic images on paper, canvas, and metal. This inspired him to open an art gallery in Havana, Florida.

Ken was a parishioner of Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Tallahassee, Florida, and passionately served his fellow parishioners and community as a member of the Men of Good Shepherd, the Knights of Columbus, and the Men’s Choir. In addition to his service to the Church, he belonged to the Secular Franciscan Order. Ken was a true Renaissance man and enjoyed painting, traveling, making bread and cheeses, and spending time with his grandchildren. He also devoted many hours to working in his vegetable garden.

Ken was preceded in death by his father, Harold Echternacht; mother, Elsie Elwood Echternacht; stepmother, Ina Echternacht; and brother, John Echternacht. A beloved husband and father, he is survived by his wife of 50 years, Gloria Vasquez Echternacht; son Kenneth Echternacht, Jr. (Pam) of Crestview, Florida; daughter Deirdre Echternacht-Stafford of Jacksonville, Florida; daughter Katherine Echternacht Fleming (Jeff) of Tallahassee; grandchildren Andrew, Dylan, Justin, Megan, Audrey, Devin, and Haley; and great-grandchildren. The family is deeply grateful to Big Bend Hospice for the care and comfort they provided to Ken during his final days.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, April 25, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 4665 Thomasville Rd, Tallahassee, Florida 32309.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his honor to Good Shepherd Catholic Church or to Big Bend Hospice, Tallahassee.

For those who wish to share, please add a memory of Ken below. These reflections will stand as a tribute to his enduring legacy and a testament to the many lives he impacted.