Mr. Georg Hans Eck

Mr. Georg Hans Eck, 84, of Henderson, formerly of West Point, Kentucky, passed away November 29, 2023 in Henderson. He was born May 6, 1939 in Poppenreuth, Germany to Georg and Frieda Anna Martha (Lubig) Eck. Hans grew up in Germany during World War II, surviving the bombings of Nuremberg and the surrounding cities. He witnessed great loss and tragedy at such a young age and though he carried those images with him throughout his life, he never let that stop him from living life to its fullest. After finishing school Hans went on to Trade school becoming a Certified German Baker. Later, when the Cold War hit, he became a Civil Servant for the United States Army Europe, where he served as a gate guard for vehicles crossing between Germany and the Czech Republic. One of his fondest memories was when he met Elvis Presley while serving in Germany. Hans enjoyed going hiking in Germany as part of a German Hiking Club (Volksmarch), listening to Elvis, watching western movies, and cutting up with his friends. It was in this Volksmarching club where he met his future wife Margaret, an Army nurse. Hans gained two bonus sons and later he and Margaret would have a daughter, Karla Annette “Nettie”. Nettie was his whole world and if you mentioned her name at any time in life his eyes would light up with pride and he would tell you all kinds of stories about her and just how proud he was of her. Margaret eventually had to leave Germany and move back to the United States with the Army, this was a dream come true for Hans, He always wanted to live in the USA. After moving to the United States, when he was forty, he continued working for the US Government as a Non-appropriated Funds Civil Servant. He was a hardworking man and was continuously getting certificates and awards for this hard work. He would end up retiring from Civil Service after a long 30-year career. His love for German food never diminished. He loved to cook and bake traditional German foods for anyone that would ask and could always be found with a beer in his hand. Hans became a citizen in 1986 and was proud of his citizenship in the United States. He thoroughly enjoyed American history, especially the Civil War. He took great pleasure in being a Civil War reenactor. Many of his closest friends were fellow reenactors and like an extended family. Along with reenacting, he also volunteered at the Urban Combat Training Complex (Zusman) at Fort Knox, acting as an insurgent or civilian on the battlefield to train the Soldiers preparing to go to Afghanistan and Iraq. Hans was a man that never met a stranger, loved to play pranks, tell stories, and could always make you laugh. He had a very infectious smile that you could not help but return. Hans was preceded in death by his parents, Georg and Frieda Eck; sister Linda Gross and her husband Herbert; brother, Georg Eck and his wife Avie; and his granddaughter, Kayla Alice Best. Survivors include his daughter, Karla “Nettie” Best and husband Joe of Henderson; bonus sons Kevyn Jacobs, Dale Jacobs and wife Cynthia; granddaughter, Allyson Best; bonus granddaughter Sarah Jacobs; bonus grandsons, Dylan Best and wife Grace, Preston Best and wife Shelby, Ryan Jacobs; bonus great-grandson, Cooper Best; and a host of other family and friends. A memorial service for Hans will be held at: Roquemore Missionary Baptist Church on Thursday, December 7th, 2023, at 2 pm. with Joe Best officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be Kevyn Jacobs, Dale Jacobs, Dylan Best, Preston Best, and Ryan Jacobs. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.crawfordacrim.com.

Mr. Georg Hans Eck

May 6, 1939 - November 29, 2023