Aaron grew up in Junction City, KS. In 2003 he married Tanya Diane Eckhoff in Hutchinson, KS and they were blessed with three children, Colin Dean, Ella Opal, and Jackson Lee. Aaron worked as an EMT and fireman in Junction City and Wichita before graduating from WSU in 2013. As a PA Aaron remained true to his rural roots by working in clinics and emergency rooms in Atwood, St. Francis, Sedan, and Hoxie. Aaron unexpectedly lost his life in 2014 at the age of 33 when his bicycle was struck by a car as he was training for triathlon. Aaron enjoyed outdoor activities and maintained good physical condition – hunting, soccer, marathons, Ironman Triathlon, running Pikes Peak. Aaron was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, worked with youth, and earned his Eagle Scout Badge at age 16. Aaron was known by colleagues and patients as a gentle and compassionate soul who dearly loved his wife, children, family, and friends. Celebrating accomplishments with spaghetti dinners, traveling and exploring, and delighting in his nightly bowl of Blue Bell ice cream were just some of the ways life and love were shared together. The McKinney Fellowship provides financial support to second year WSU PA students who are first responders and demonstrate athletic commitment and other qualities/traits exhibited by Aaron.
