Melvin Foster Eckman, 95, peacefully passed away, December 3, 2025. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend.

Melvin was born November 26, 1930, in Chester, Idaho. He was the seventh of nine children. His parents were Fredrick Benjamin and Ruth May Wood.

He grew up in the Chester area and attended schools in Chester and St. Anthony. He graduated from St. Anthony High School. He continued his education at Ricks College, where he received an associate degree, and Utah State University for his Bachelor and Masters degrees.

While he was studying at Ricks he went to a dance at the armory in St. Anthony and met Donna Ball. They married on June 2, 1954, in the Idaho Falls Temple and were blessed with two sons, Alan Bruce and Brian Joseph.

Melvin grew up in a family of "Mormon Haters". He surprised everyone when he showed up at the bishop's office one day and asked to be baptized. He said he loved the noise of families worshiping together in sacrament meeting.

He loved fishing and knew where the best catch was at. He spent his summers as a child in a logging camp surrounded by family.

Melvin started his career as a research and development engineer at Utah State University. He went on to work as an engineer at the INL at the beginning of nuclear power. He then moved to Bartlesville Oklahoma to work for Phillips Petroleum, then back to Utah State. He began working at Ricks College in 1971 in the design and drafting department, receiving many awards, and retired from Ricks in 1995.

He is survived by his sons, Alan Bruce (Laurel), and Brian Joseph (Becky) Eckman of Rexburg as well as eleven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren, and a brother, Glen Eckman of St. Anthony.

Melvin was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Donna Ball Eckman, his parents, several brothers and a sister, and a grandson.

His family would like to extend a thank you to Homestead, and all of his caregivers.
Funeral arrangements are by Flamm Funeral Home.

Service will be broadcast at: https://my.gather.app/remember/melvin-eckman