2019 Robert H. Eckert Memorial Academic Scholarship Recipients
Our scholarship namesake, Bob Eckert, was a farmer and lifelong resident of Copley, Ohio, who supported the area’s agricultural community by serving as Secretary of the Summit County Farm Bureau Board of Trustees. In that role, which spanned “too many years to count,” he became known for the meticulously detailed handwritten minutes he would record during each meeting. In addition to his role as a farmer and an active member of the SCFB, Bob also drove a school bus for the Copley Public Schools for many years. His involvement with his charges went beyond safely delivering them to their intended destination each school day. He also hired many of these students to work on his farm after school hours and during summer vacations. There, he was a patient educator intent on teaching those who wanted to learn what he knew about farming, working the land, and animal husbandry. Not surprisingly, when Bob passed away, former students lined up outside the funeral home to pay their respects to the man who had been both their friend and teacher.
Not long after his passing, the SCFB Board of Trustees voted to create an academic scholarship program in honor of Bob’s memory. They established an award of $1,000 per academic year, with the option to renew for up to 4 years (provided minimum academic standards were maintained). Below are the individuals selected as our scholarship recipients, this year.
Zachery Cramer
Zachery, the son of Mrs. Kelly Cramer and Mr. Theodore Cramer, is a 2019 graduate of Barberton High School who also attended The University of Akron during his senior year. Zach is a health nut that thoroughly enjoys working out and playing basketball with his buddies. Whether he is fishing with his grandfather or working at the Chippewa Lake Country Club golf course, he relishes the open air. In fact, it is this love that has sparked his curiosity of what lies beyond, in the outer space. He plans to continue at the University of Akron, majoring in chemical engineering while minoring in physics. And, of course, his ultimate career goal would be to work at NASA.
Anna Herchl
Anna, the daughter of Michelle and Joshua Herchl, is a 2019 graduate of Hudson High School. A member of the National Honor Society, she was VERY active with many many school activities yet still found time to work part-time at Boston Mills/Brandywine Ski Resort. Anna, who has grown up on a horse farm, loves music, however is absolutely passionate about the great outdoors. She plans to attend West Virginia University’s Davey College of Agriculture and major in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics. After graduation, she intends to advocate on behalf of the environment, focusing her efforts on policy and awareness based with a plan to make a change.
