James A. Eck II ’93 died on May 7, 2026, in Summit, New Jersey.
(The following was provided by the Paul Ippolito Summit Memorial on May 13, 2026:)
James Alois Eck II ’93
James Alois Eck II died unexpectedly of a heart attack on May 7, 2026. He was 55 years old. James had been traveling for business, and his last words were to tell his beloved wife and three children he was looking forward to returning home later that evening.
James was born on November 23, 1970, to Linda Alice Blake Eck and James Alois Eck, Jr. in Raleigh, North Carolina, and spent his childhood in Colorado. He graduated from Littleton High School in 1989. In 1993, James graduated magna cum laude from Bowdoin College, where he majored in history. James always remembered his years at Bowdoin fondly and enjoyed sharing his memories of college and fraternity life with his family.
After graduating from Bowdoin, James worked as a paralegal at the Hunton and Williams law firm. He soon pivoted to finance, working for two years at the Chicago Board of Trade as a floor trader. In 1999, James earned his M.B.A. in finance and accounting at the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business (Booth). Following graduation, James was an associate director at Aon Capital Markets in Chicago for two years, helping to develop the first catastrophe bonds.
In September 2001, James began a long tenure at Moody’s Investors Service in New York City, where he developed his distinguished career as a credit analyst, rising to vice president – senior credit officer, covering a portfolio of specialty insurance, reinsurance companies, and financial guarantors. James loved his career and his colleagues, who described him as the backbone of their team, a mentor, and a dear friend to all.
At the University of Chicago School of Business, James met the love of his life, his “pal” Juliet. James and Juliet were wed on May 25, 2002, at the Church of Our Savior in New York City. Soon after, they moved to Summiot, New Jersey, where they would create a happy home and raise their three children, Elizabeth, Jamie, and Alasdair, and Wheaton terrier, Reggie.
As a Colorado Rocky Mountain native, James was a natural, expert downhill skier, and he carried his passion for the slopes to the East Coast, where he taught his children to ski in the winter, and enjoyed myriad outdoor adventures in the summer. James loved to entertain his friends and family at home, cooking delicious meals and baking cookies and pies that were eagerly devoured. An avid Denver Broncos fan, James often hosted festive Super Bowl parties.
More than anything, James was devoted to his wife, his three children, and his dog, Reggie. He loved them beyond words; they were his entire world. He spent his life in service to them, always finding ways to make their lives easy, comfortable, and happy. James was the reliable, supportive base that allowed his cherished family members to pursue their dreams and achieve their accomplishments. He and his wife, Juliet, were the perfect team, and their complementary traits created a single, balanced unit. His many wonderful qualities are reflected in his three beautiful children, and he absolutely beamed when talking about any one of them.
An only child, James was predeceased by his mother, Linda Alice Blake, and his father, James A. Eck, Jr. He is survived by his wife, Juliet Moyna Eck, his daughter, Elizabeth Aisling Eck (22), son James Alois Eck, III (20), son Alasdair John Eck (18), and his uncle, Frederick “Fritz” Blake and his wife, Melissa Behrens Blake. He leaves behind many friends whom he loved.
James’s family and friends are heartbroken over his premature passing. He was so loved by all who knew him, especially his adoring wife and children. He will be missed beyond measure.