Rev. Donald Nelson Eckerstrom
who devoted his life to the spiritual and emotional health of others, has begun his final spiritual journey at age 82. After graduating from the University of Minnesota in 1954 and pursuing his passion as a jazz pianist for several years in Los Angeles, he graduated from Luther Theological Seminary in 1959. He served as pastor in St. James and Montevideo, Minnesota, before becoming the Lutheran Campus Pastor at the University of Arizona in 1964. His ministry focused on making Christianity relevant in the contemporary lives of students and on social justice, a mission he believed was compelled by his faith. Among other programs, he organized "Switchboard", a hotline by which students in crisis found a caring ear and counseling referrals. He founded "the Cup" in 1965, a Christian Coffeehouse where students could gather to hear folk musicians including "Big Jim" Griffith and Linda Ronstadt. He was a community advocate for civil rights and for peace in Vietnam. He interceded on behalf of the "Bear Down Seven", a group of African-American students arrested at a basketball game for protesting racial discrimination by the opposing university. During student riots against the war in January 1971, he received mention in local papers for braving tear gas to extinguish firebombs and exhort students to protest peacefully. After his campus ministry concluded in 1978, he began a second career as a psychotherapist. He developed a specialty in assisting clients with issues relating to sexuality, receiving an Ed.D from the Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Sexuality. His lifelong willingness to lend a caring ear on any matter, either as pastor, therapist or friendly pipe-smoking acquaintance at the Villiage Inn, made him beloved by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Eckerstrom; sons, Paul and Peter (Ann-Eve); adopted son, Tony; grandchildren, Kyle Kayla and Lars; sister-in-law, Connie Wingren. He passed away on August 6, 2013. His Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 17, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at Lutheran Church in the Foothills. Donations in his name may be made to the Southern Poverty Law Center or the Humane Society of Arizona.