Louis "Lou" Eckhardt took the final road exit from this life and backed his big rig to the dock at the gates of St. Peter on April 8th, 2025. Sign here, God -Load delivered. Lou was 88 years young. He had been residing at St. Francis Rehab and Nursing Center in Laconia, NH for the last 2 years. Lou was born a twin with his "older" sister, Louise, in Norwell, MA, October 1st, 1936. His parents were George Eckhardt, Sr and Frieda Knaus Eckhardt. In June of 1951, Lou's family moved to a home on Rt 28 overlooking Lower Suncook Lake in Center Barnstead, NH. He graduated from Pittsfield High School, class of 1954. Lou served his country in the US Army from 1955 to 1957, including an assignment in Germany. Lou always bragged that Elvis Presley was his replacement. After the Army, Lou moved to Stephentown, New York in June of 1959, where he resided at his brother George's farm until 1972. While helping his brother establish Kinderhook Creek Farm, Lou began driving trucks hauling farm products, lumber and milk. He drove truck for Kelly lumber Products of Pittsfield and Hatch Milk Hauling of New Lebanon. He and a partner, Clyde Keyes, started an independent trucking company, E & K Trucking. His partner retired early in the life of the business due to health issues and Lou continued to run the business by himself. Lou did any type of short-haul loads he could contract to make a living. He hauled crushed rock, asphalt for paving roads, lumber, gravel and even fresh produce for his brother's farm. For 3 years, he made a trip 5 nights a week from Adams, MA to Brooklyn, NY hauling quicklime for Pfizer Pharmaceuticals. In 1994, Lou returned to Barnstead and purchased the family home on Rt 28 from his parents' estate. After closing E & K Trucking in 2004, he drove trucks part-time for a couple of businesses in the Barnstead and Epsom area. He loved to travel and see the countryside. Truck driving gave him a front row seat to New England's beauty and sometimes it's challenging, unpredictable weather. In 2005, he and his sister, Louise, traveled to Alaska in his Airstream Classic travel trailer. He made the trip again, 2 years later, with his oldest brother George. Lou enjoyed the experiences greatly and made more cross-country trips with his brother. He loved to drive. His vehicles, cars or pickups or big rigs, were his passion. He loved truck shows and studied antique trucks. Lou remained single his entire life. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Jacquelyne Eckhardt of Laconia. He is predeceased by his parents, his twin sister Louise Fallon, brother Ralph, brother George Jr. "Skip" and brother Charles. He is survived by many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and great nieces and great nephews. A very special thanks to his good friend, Bryan Locke of Barnstead. Bryan was there when Lou needed help at home, and visited Lou nearly every Sunday, no matter what, for the last several years. God Bless you Bryan. Also, a very sincere thanks to the staff of St. Francis Rehab and Nursing in Laconia for your care, compassion and professionalism during Lou's residency at your facility. Friends and extended family are invited to a vistation at Roan Family Funeral Home - Still Oaks Chapel, 1217 Suncook Valley Hwy S, Epsom, NH 03234 on Wednesday April 16th, 2025 from 4pm until 5:30pm. A short service of remembrance will be held at the Funeral Home beginning at 5:30pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Lou's memory to the George Schroyer Memorial Scholarship Fund in care of The American Truck Historical Society, 10380 N. Ambassador Drive, #101, Kansas City, Missouri 64153 ph. 816-891-9900. To share a memory or offer a condolence please visit www.roanfamilyfuneral.com