Blue Jacket and Rehab

Allan Eckert, the Ohio author who penned the story that became the outdoor drama, “Tecumseh!”, has died.

CHILLICOTHE — Allan Eckert, the Ohio author who penned the story that became the outdoor drama, “Tecumseh!”, has died.

The Jesse Stuart Foundation, which worked with him on half of his 39 books, confirmed that Eckert died in his sleep at his home in Corona, Calif. on Thursday.

He was 80.

The author of the famed historical narrative, "The Frontiersman", Eckert was honored, along with poet Toni Morrison, as Ohio's favorite all-time writer in 1999. That same year, "The Frontiersman" was selected in open balloting as the state's favorite book "About Ohio or an Ohioan."

Eckert was nominated seven times for the Pulitzer Prize and he wrote the play that became "Tecumseh!" which has played in Ross County since 1973.

Anthony Stephens, marketing director at The Jesse Stuart Foundation, said Eckert was working on his latest book, "The Infinite Dream" at the time of his death

"It is another book in his 'The Winning of America' series and it should be out at the end of the summer," said Stephens.

Eckert wrote for 12 years and received more than 1,100 rejections before he was finally a published author.

"I figured I had something to say and someday somebody would realize that," he told the Gazette in 1996. "The first thing I had to do was properly learn how to say it."

As for the local outdoor drama, Eckert was originally asked to pen a drama about the life of Thomas Worthington, one of Ohio's first senators. He changed the mind of the Scioto Society and wrote about Tecumseh instead.

Eckert made regular visits to see the outdoor drama and his last visit came during 2010.
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Former First Lady Betty Ford, who captivated the nation with her unabashed candor and forthright discussion of her personal battles with breast cancer, prescription drug addiction and alcoholism, has died. She was 93.

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