The most important person to influence Eckmann during his years at the University of Lausanne was Georges de Rham who was an extraordinary professor there when Eckmann arrived and became full professor in 1943. Eckmann writes:
Ang pinaka-mahalagang tao sa impluwensiya Eckmann sa panahon ng kanyang mga taon sa University of Lausanne ay Georges de Rham na noon ay isang katangi-tangi propesor Eckmann kapag may dumating at naging ganap na propesor sa 1943. Eckmann magsusulat: