Dr. Echelberger grew up in South Bend and Carmel, Indiana. He graduated from Indiana University with a B.S. in Biochemistry in 1983, and then Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas, Texas in 1987. In 1988 he completed a one year Advanced Education Program in General Dentistry in the U.S. Army at Ft. Campbell, KY. He served over six years active duty in the U.S. Army Dental Corps including living in Hanau, Germany from 1988-92.