Former League President Ernie Eckberg

We continue our profile on former SCYL Presidents ~ Where are they now?

October's featured former League President:

Ernie Eckberg
Served 1966 - 1968

What did he do and where is he now?

I have been in Texas since 1967. I'm in my 37th year of being in the floor covering business. I specialize in custom motorcoach flooring.

I felt blessed that I was able to serve the local church in Elmwood and going to Convention to be elected President. I felt blessed that Convention allowed me to travel the country to visit the local leagues and to be an encourager for the youth. I was blessed to be asked to co-edit the Messenger with Rev Bob Kirven. I felt blessed to interview the President of Convention, Rev. Dick Tafel Sr. for my contribution to the Messenger. They, Corrinne and Dick let me stay at their home while I was in Philly. And Stewart Poole opened his home for me, also.

In my short 3 year term, I flew or drove to so many locations and met with so many folks that it would take me quite a while to assemble that list. I remember the last convention I attended and that was in Urbana. I was the outgoing president of the ANCL- American New Church League. I remember Sherry Fekete being there and we were good friends. I helped organize Conventions in Brockton, Philly and at Harvey Mudd College in California. I also served on General Council being asked to fill the unexpired seat of one of the members that had passed away.

The church has been the most influential part of my life. We are isolated members and have joined a couple churches here in Texas. There always seems to be a void in our life when we attend those church services - as we feel that what is being preached is not what we believe. Thus we do a lot of reading and praying by ourselves. I never felt the need for having a crowd around when I talk to the Lord.
[Editor note: Current Church President Chris Laitner was youth league secretary when Ernie was youth league President]