George E. Eckel | Builder

George Eugene Eckel was born in Leon, Kansas, on March 9, 1922, to Charles and Grace Eckel. He was one of seven children, two daughters and five sons. Mr. Eckel joined the US Navy’s V-7 program. Which, beginning in 1940, V-7 candidates, who were college juniors and seniors, were required to enlist in the Naval Reserve. Following a one-month indoctrination course as apprentice seaman, V-7s attended a three-month course in the midshipmen's school. Upon completion of the program, candidates were awarded an ensign's commission and placed in active status. The V-7 program allowed Ensign Eckel to secure his degree in Winfield, Kansas, before joining active service. George served in active duty in the US Navy during World War II from 1943, until he was discharged in December of 1946.

In August, 1943, George went to Northwestern University for midshipman training, graduated in December of that year, and was commissioned Ensign. He then entered the amphibious Navy where he spent all of his Navy life. His amphibious landing ship carried troops and tanks across the English Channel during D-Day. After making 45 trips across the channel George returned to the United States in 1944 and went to a training command school in Virginia. He was promoted to Lieutenant and put in command of training submarine No. 528 for eight months. These eight months were spent in and about the South Pacific making one complete trip to New Zealand.

In 1947, George moved to San Diego where he worked as a building contractor and land developer. Eckel built custom homes, office and commercial buildings. As a land developer, George subdivided many properties in the La Mesa-Mount Helix area.

Eckel was Leonard Smith's brother-in-law. While he did not design many of the homes he built, George relied on Smith’s designs as well as other designers and local architects. In the 1950s Eckel and Smith bought land from Colonel Fletcher on which Leonard would often design a ‘classic Mt. Helix ranch’ home. George would build the home – and once complete, Leonard would sell them.

George married Shirley Ann Licht on October 8, 1949, and had three children, Mark Charles, Trent Eugene and Marla Ann.

George was a member of the Building Contractors Association as well as serving on the Economic Council of National Builders and the Interfaith Housing Foundation. He was selected by the American Wood Council and Lumberman's Association to build the Wood Design 1970 "Idea Home." George was a member of the Lions Club of La Mesa for 53 years. He served as a board member for the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce and on the City Arbitration Committee. He won the La Mesa Beautiful Award in the commercial category for his office complexes on Baltimore Drive. He was one of the founders of Grossmont Bank and First La Mesa Bank.