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Algot Eckstrom Obituary

Al Leroy Eckstrom
WW II Veteran - US Army

Al L. Eckstrom, 90, of Wernersville, PA, passed away Monday, July 2nd, at Fairlane Gardens Nursing & Rehabilitation, Mt. Penn. 

Algot was born in Warren, PA on March 21, 1928, a son of the late Helga (Bostrom) and Algot Eckstrom. He was the husband of Linda S. (Wynn) Eckstrom.

Shortly after his birth, his parents immigrated to the U.S. from Sweden where their families had lived for many generations. Lacking employment due to the depression, the family moved back to Sweden and returned to America when Al was five years old. Al had to relearn English as he spoke Swedish as a toddler.

Al graduated from Warren High School in 1946 where he was frequently elected homeroom chairman and voted "a superb dancer." At this time, he made a promise to himself that he would find the best party on Earth.

Following school, he was drafted into the Army where he served with B Troop, 10th Constabulary Squadron in post-war West Germany. In July 1947 Al suffered a severe accident that landed him in three hospitals in Germany and two in the U.S. His hospitalizations lasted a full year.

After his final release from the hospital, Al attended Allegheny College in Meadville, Pa., and earned a B.S. degree in Psychology in 1953. While attending college he participated in many intramural sports, played varsity soccer for three years and also acted in several dramas.

After college, Al worked as a Psychiatric Technician at Warren State Mental Hospital, a job he insisted was his favorite. After a two-year stint he moved on to Schering Pharmaceuticals selling prescription drugs. Ironically, it was about this time that Al started attending Alcoholics Anonymous, which became a defining part of his life.

Al was hired by Carpenter Steel in 1959 as a clerk. He worked his way up, creating his own department and attaining the title Supervisor of Specifications. Later he became part of the Nuclear Materials Group handling the technical aspects of the product, which required him to have government Secret Clearance. Much of his work had to with submarines, carriers, etc., which required him to travel extensively in the U.S. He retired from CarTech in 1985.

After retirement, Al worked at a few "keep busy" jobs until he became involved in his true calling. In 1988 he founded Easy Does It on Walnut St. in Reading. His idea was to have a facility devoted solely to drug and alcohol rehabilitation where people could stay, meet, and help each other stay sober. His dream to have a large (20,000 sq. ft) facility was realized in 2000 when he managed all phases of construction for Hilltop Easy Does It in Bern Township. The Board of Directors voted him the Founding Father of Easy Does It. Al himself had been sober since 1959, giving him 59 years of sobriety, perhaps the longest stretch in Berks County.

Al is survived by his wife, Linda Sue Eckstrom; a son Terry Eckstrom, husband of Michelle; a granddaughter, Stephanie, and great-granddaughter Sophia Sherman. Also surviving are a daughter-in-law Annmarie Eckstrom, a step-son Clark Beck and three step grandchildren: Connor, Dylan and Chase Beck. He was predeceased by his first wife, Carol Eckstrom and a son, Dann Eckstrom.

Al did everything he wanted to and urges everyone to have a good time with life. Incidentally, he said the best place to party was Rio de Janiero, Brazil at Carnival.

A Memorial Service will be planned at the families convenience.

Arrangements entrusted to John P. Feeney Funeral Home, Inc. 625 N. 4th Street at Centre Ave., Reading, PA 19601, 610-372-4160. Obituary and Condolences at www.johnfeeneyfuneralhome.com.

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