Remembering L. B. Eckelkamp, Jr.
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, L. B. Eckelkamp, Jr. on July 11, 2026, at age 82 after a brief illness.
He is survived by his wife, Bonnie Eckelkamp (Stratman) of Washington; one son, Louis B. "Buzz" Eckelkamp, III, and wife Tina of Washington; one daughter, Jeanna Sinnott and husband Michael of Washington; seven grandchildren: Michael (Taylor) Sinnott, Jr., Sarah Eckelkamp, Bonnie Eckelkamp, Louis B. “Louie” Eckelkamp, IV, Matthew Sinnott, Anna Eckelkamp, and Elizabeth Sinnott; one great-grandson, Alexander Sinnott; two sisters, Judy (Pete) Tobben of Washington and Susie Eckelkamp of St. Albans; sister-in-law, Marilyn (Stratman) Eckelkamp of Washington; brother-in-law, Dick (Karen) Stratman of Washington; along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis Bernard and Martha (Wood) Eckelkamp, and one brother, William W. “Bill” Eckelkamp.
L. B. was a distinguished leader, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and community advocate whose life was defined by hard work, service, integrity, and a deep commitment to faith and family.
Born October 30, 1943, in Washington, Missouri, he grew up on a farm outside Washington, where he learned the strong work ethic that guided him throughout his life. He attended St. John the Baptist Grade School and St. Francis Borgia High School, where he was a member of its first football team. He graduated with a B.B.A. in Finance from the University of Notre Dame in 1965 and earned a J.D. from the University of Missouri School of Law in 1968. He was one of the founding members of the law firm Eckelkamp Kuenzel LLP in 1984 which is now the oldest law firm in Washington, Missouri. His family was also deeply involved in the restaurant business, owning the well-known Diamonds Restaurant along Route 66. At age 12, L. B. began working 12-hour shifts at The Diamonds, six days a week as a busboy and dishwasher, a job that kept him busy and out of trouble thanks to the watchful eyes of family and staff.
In 1965, he married his beloved wife of nearly 61 years, Bonnie Jean Stratman, and together they built a legacy of service, leadership, and philanthropy.
Professionally, L. B. began his service to the Bank of Washington as a Board Member in 1971, and was elected Chairman and CEO in 1983, succeeding his father. At the same time, his brother, William W. Eckelkamp, was elected Chairman of the Executive Committee and Chief Financial Officer. Together, the brothers would continue and build on the legacy their father had established at the bank. He was President or Managing Member of a number of other family owned businesses including Eckelkamp Office Center, Inc., Eckelkamp Developments, LLC, Diamond Enterprises, LLC, and Eckelkamp Enterprises, LLC. He was also Chairman and President of Diamond Bancorp, Cardinal Bancorp and Cardinal Bancorp II, which own Bank of Washington, CNB St. Louis Bank, and the United Bank of Union, respectively.
His community involvement extended to local, regional, and national levels, including extensive service to the Boy Scouts of America. His association with scouting began back in the 1960s shortly after he graduated from law school. He would eventually serve the organization at the district, council and national levels. L. B. was a Past National Board Member of the Boy Scouts of America, Executive Committee Member and Vice President and Past Chairman of the Board and President of the Greater St. Louis Area Council Boy Scouts of America. He received all of Scouting’s top volunteer honors: the Silver Beaver (council level), Silver Antelope (regional level), and Silver Buffalo (national level).
L. B. also demonstrated a longstanding commitment to higher education through leadership and philanthropy. He served as a Trustee for Lindenwood University and Quincy University and was a former member of the Chancellor’s Council at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. At St. Louis University, his contributions were extensive, including roles as Trustee, member of the Investment Committee and Audit and Legal Committee. These roles reflected his dedication to advancing educational opportunities and strengthening institutions that shape future leaders.
Locally, L. B. played an instrumental role in strengthening the Washington, Missouri, community through decades of dedicated service. Over the course of his life, Eckelkamp would serve in volunteer leadership roles for a long list of local organizations, charities and ad hoc committees, including the Washington Area Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Washington, Inc., Washington Town & Country Fair, Mercy Hospital and a number of service clubs. At Mercy Hospital, he and Bonnie led the “Always Ready” campaign to fund a new emergency room. He co-chaired major initiatives for St. Francis Borgia High School, including the Campaign for a new high school, which opened in 1982, and the “Secure the Future” Endowment Campaign, while also serving on the Endowment Committee. His civic contributions included serving as City Attorney for Washington and as a member of the Washington Highway and Transportation Committee. A strong advocate for youth and wellness, he was an organizing board member of the Four Rivers Area YMCA, co-chaired its Special Gifts Initiative, and served on the Executive Board. Additionally, he was a founding charter member of the Washington Rotary Club, a member of the Washington Elks Club, and a Fourth-Degree Knight of Columbus.
His volunteer service would expand to the St. Louis region and beyond. He was a member of the Alexis de Tocqueville Society Cabinet of the United Way of Greater St. Louis. He served on the boards of the YMCA of Greater St. Louis, the Missouri Historical Society, the St. Louis Aquarium Foundation, and the St. Louis Zoo. L. B. also served as chair of the Shaw Nature Reserve for the Missouri Botanical Garden and served as Past President of the 20th Judicial Circuit Bar Association. He was a past Member of the Missouri Development Finance Board and was a founding member of the St. Louis Regional Business Council of which he was Past Chairman, was a former Member of the Young Presidents Organization and Member of YPO Gold and the Chief Executives Organization.
Faith was always a cornerstone of L. B.’s life, reflected in his deep involvement with his parish and broader church leadership. He was a devoted member of St. Francis Borgia Parish in Washington, Missouri, where he served on the Parish Council and co-chaired major initiatives with Bonnie, including the “Faith of Our Founders” Capital Campaign and the “Retiring the Debt” Campaign. His influence extended beyond the local parish to the St. Louis Archdiocese, where he chaired the Board of the St. Louis Archdiocesan Development Fund and was a Member of the Archdiocesan Finance Council, and a Past Board Member of the Annual Catholic Appeal. Nationally, L. B. contributed to the Papal Foundation as a Former Trustee, Member and Past Chairman of the Investment Committee, and Steward of St. Peter. His dedication to faith was further recognized through his roles as a Knight Grand Cross of the Holy Sepulchre, Knight of Malta, and his leadership in Legatus, where he served as Past President and Founding Board Member. Earlier this year, Archbishop Rozanski of the St. Louis Archdiocese presented L. B. and Bonnie with the prestigious 2026 Sister Mary Ann Eckhoff Leadership Award for their support of Catholic education.
L. B.’s lifelong commitment to service and leadership was recognized through numerous prestigious honors. He received the Outstanding Missourian Award from the Missouri House of Representatives, the Spirit of Enterprise Award by the Missouri GOP, an Honorary Board Member of the Missouri Easter Seal Society, and was named “Man of the Year” by the Variety Club of St. Louis. His dedication to faith and philanthropy earned him the distinction of Knight Grand Cross and being honored as a Squire in the Academy of Missouri Squires, which celebrates Missourians for accomplishments at every level. Together with Bonnie, L. B. received the Spirit of Mercy Award from Mercy Hospital, the Silver Palm from the Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulchre, the Franklin County Community Involvement Association Award, the Washingtonian Award, and the National Philanthropic Organization Award for Outstanding Fundraising Volunteers, a testament to their shared commitment to improving lives and strengthening communities.
L. B. and Bonnie’s guiding philosophy has always been: “Know yourself, be yourself and give yourself. If you truly care about people, the rest will fall into place.”
L. B.’s life exemplified an unwavering commitment to faith, family, and community, leaving a lasting legacy of leadership and generosity.
On Friday, July 17, 2026 Mr. Eckelkamp lay in state from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Oltmann Funeral Home in Washington, Missouri, with full family present from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
Funeral Mass was celebrated at 10:00 AM on Saturday, July 18, 2026 at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church in Washington, Missouri. Burial was held privately following Mass in the church cemetery.
The family prefers donations be made in honor of L. B. Eckelkamp to St. Francis Borgia High School Endowment Fund, St. Francis Borgia Parish, or Greater St. Louis Area Scouting.
The Eckelkamp family was proudly served by Oltmann Funeral Home in Washington, MO.