By Vickie Denning, Communications Director

TVLC is filled with remarkable people. Because of the number and size of our services, we often miss out on meeting folks or having the opportunity to get to know them. Today we’ll meet the Eckert family.

About you?
Drew and Kristyn Eckert recently celebrated their 26th wedding anniversary and have two children, Zach and Annika.

The Eckerts have lived in Tucson for 26 years. Drew is originally from Lititz, Pennsylvania and Kristyn is from Puyallup, Washington.

Drew and Kristyn met a at a volleyball tournament in Moscow, Idaho. Kristyn played volleyball for Gonzaga University and Drew attended the tournament with a friend. At the time, Drew was stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane. Later, when Kristyn and Drew were planning their wedding, Drew was on temporary duty in Kuwait. The wedding details had to be ironed out via 10 minute weekly phone calls and lots of letters!

Drew and Kristyn came to Tucson courtesy of the Air Force when Drew was stationed at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.

Drew now works for the Air Force at the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center, commonly known as the Boneyard, doing maintenance production management. Kristyn teaches math as a member of the Adjunct Faculty at Pima Community College.

Zach is 20 years old and studies engineering at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. He is home for the summer and works unloading freight overnight at Home Depot.

Annika is 17 years old and is a Senior at Sahuaro High School. She fit in a trip to San Diego with a friend over the summer.

The family recently returned from a trip to the Pacific Northwest when they were able to be with Kristyn’s parents for the first time since the pandemic began.

Hobbies?
Drew likes to read and grill. Kristyn likes to craft and read. Zach likes to watch and play soccer and hang out with friends. Annika loves to dance and spends much of her time at a dance studio, but she also likes to craft and spend time with friends.

Favorite TVLC memory?
Zach and Annika have enjoyed helping with VBS and Sunday School at TVLC.

The Eckerts also have fond memories of the ELCA National Youth Gatherings. Zach and Drew (chaperone) attended both the Detroit and Houston gatherings while Annika attended the Houston gathering. They all appreciated being able to help with hurricane recovery projects in Houston. Annika is looking forward to going to Minneapolis for the 2022 gathering.

Have you enjoyed getting to know the Eckerts a little bit better? Can we share your story? We’d love to hear from you! Contact Vickie Denning.