Dennis Edward Ekardt

Dennis was born in Cincinnati, OH on January 18, 1940 to Edward C. and Nelda P. (Delseno) Ekardt. Dennis married his high school sweetheart Patricia L. Liggett in Cincinnati, and they recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. He joined the U.S. Navy after graduating from high school, then brought his new bride to the Panama Canal Zone where his oldest daughter, Polly, was born. His younger daughter, Jennifer, was born at his next duty station in Maryland.

During his Navy career, Dennis was most proud of his time stationed at the White House providing communications for the Johnson and Nixon administrations where he was able to travel the world with Presidents, Vice Presidents, First Ladies, and First Daughters. He was transferred first to the USS California and then the USS Mt. Whitney, where he experienced the “real” Navy with long deployments and more world travels. After 24 years of serving our nation, Dennis retired and began his second career at E-Systems/Raytheon where he worked as a Systems Engineer for 23 years and continued to travel the world.

A gregarious and generous man, Dennis loved telling stories, traveling with his daughters and their families, fishing with his sons-in-law, cheating at games, sneaking treats to his grandchildren and later great grandchildren, talking about his favorite movies, cooking and favorite restaurants. His favorite place to be was the beach for a lazy week with his family where he spoiled everyone rotten.

Dennis is survived by his wife, Patricia; daughters Polly Dieter (Michael), Jennifer Harris (Alan); grandchildren Lindsay Harris, Edward Dieter (Frankie), Meghann Dieter, Nicole Nash (Andrew); great grandchildren Nicholas Harris and Ivy Nash; nephew Michael Liggett who was like a son having spent holidays and vacations with Ecky and family; many other cousins, nieces, nephews and in-laws who he loved dearly. He often said, “Family is everything.”

Join the family for a celebration of life and share your stories of Ecky on June 20, 2026 from 2:00 pm-5:00 pm at Murphy Funeral Home, 4510 Wilson Blvd, Arlington VA 22203.