Clemence Victor Eckermamm was born in Riverton, South Australia on 1 April 1919. From an early age he sensed a calling to God and in 1932 went to Concordia College and then Concordia Seminary. He was ordained at Koonibba Mission on 27 July 1941. Two years later he married Norma Coral Herde.

He served at Koonibba from 1941-42 as a teacher and assistant pastor, then from 1946 to 1953 and 1960 to 1965 as pastor and Superintendant. He developed a deep affection and respect for the Aboriginal community and in 2010 his book "Koonibba - the Mission and the Nunga People" was published.

In 1952 he wrote a series of articles for the Lutheran League Monitor about how the Aboriginal people at Ooldea came under the care of the Koonibba Mission, moving to Yalata.

In 1979 Eckermann was warded the Order of Australia for service to Aboriginal welfare, which recognized his implementation of an active self determination and self government policy in keeping with Aboriginal culture.