Eckmann attended Lincoln High School in Seattle, Washington where he was a star quarterback.
In 1941, he terminated the duties of football coach James Phelan who had compiled a 65–37–9 record from 1930 to 1941, replacing him with Ralph Welch.
[6] Based on his collegiate athletic prowess, Eckmann was appointed in January 1942 to an advisory committee for the Navy Aeronautic V-5 Preflight Schools.
[10] In 1964, Eckmann was appointed to the Seattle City Council by James d'Orma Braman, who left his councilman position to become mayor.
Eckmann remained on the council until 1967, but was briefly reappointed in 1970 due to the death of Myrtle Edwards.