Howard Eichen
Alton | Save
Howard Henry Eichen, age 93, went home to be with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, January 13, 2022. He was born August 27, 1928, in Wood River, Illinois, the only child of Henry A. and Eva Mae Eichen. He was the “apple of their eyes."
Howard was the generous and loving husband of Harry Lou Eichen, to whom he was married for 70 years. They first met in Sunday school at Main Street Methodist Church and remained friends through graduation from Alton High School, where they were in the same senior class. They began dating during college and eventually married. Their marriage centered on their Christian faith, love, commitment to one another, and devotion to their ever -growing family.
Together they had five children: Lisa Norooz, Gretel (John) Maggos, Bob (Shelley) Eichen, Britta (Mark) Haggard and David (Patty) Eichen.
Grandchildren include: Daniel, Sarah (Justin) Mathenia, Joseph, Noah, and Samuel Norooz; Rachel (Jay) St. John and Benjamin Maggos; Alex, David (Daisy), and Andrew Eichen, Leslie (Reggie) Conlee, Lindsey (Randy) Cress, and Lauren (Thomas) Gage; Hannon (Heather), Asher (Jess Nemic), and Sage Haggard; Isaiah (Lauren) and Elias Eichen.
Great-grandchildren include Liam Norooz; Harper, Darcy, Eva, Calvin, and Amos Mathenia; Henry, Rosie, and Milo St. John; Lela and Sydney Eichen; Corbin, Boden, and Zoe Leezy; Amalie Michelon; Makenzie, Wyatt and William Conlee; Kylie Angel; Harper Gage; Levi, Louis, and Chloe Haggard; and Matthew Eichen.
As an only child, Howard was thrilled to have a large family of his own.
After graduating from high school, Howard enlisted in the Marine Corps. Following his military service, he graduated from the University of Missouri with a B.S. in Business Administration and earned an M.B.A., with honors, from Washington University in St. Louis . He was the first in his family to attend college, fulfilling the dreams of his mother and father.
Howard worked in the commercial elevator industry as a salesman for General Elevator, Dover Elevator and Long Elevator Company and finally retired in his mid-80s. He served as president of the board of Associated General Contractors and as president of Producers' Council where he was awarded the Silver Bell and Bowl for leading the best chapter in the nation. Howard was a member of the Missouri Athletic Club (M.A.C.), where he served on the Board of Governors as secretary. He enjoyed competing in handball, racquetball, squash, volleyball, tennis tournaments and singing and serving as president of the Apollo Men’s Choir.
Howard began playing the saxophone at age 10. He played throughout his life, recording a number of albums which he sang “scat" and played saxophone. Bands included the Buzz Federly Orchestra, Jim Miget Orchestra, The Moods, The Bald and The Beautiful Band, and his church praise band. He ended his musical career at age 90 with the New Horizon Band in Godfrey.
Howard loved big family BBQs and picnics, his millions of friends, gardening and raising giant pumpkins, working out at Nautilus, raising animals, being the “Big Chief” for the YMCA Indian Guides, running the bullpen at swim meets, serving as assistant scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 129, packing his five children in a VW bus or the wood-paneled station wagon and driving to Texas, Florida, Smokey Mts, and Michigan for summer vacations, fishing at Peterson’s, playing solitaire, raw oysters on the half shell, and reading autobiographies.
Howard has been greatly missed these past 4 years by all who knew him, but we are comforted knowing we will be reunited in Heaven. He is remembered as working incredibly hard for his family, being generous to a fault, kind, thoughtful, fun loving, gregarious, and never having known a stranger. Howard was preceded in death by his parents and grandsons, Ben Maggos and Andrew Eichen.
A private family celebration of life will be held later in March.
Gent Funeral Home in Alton is in charge of arrangements. Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com.
Gent Funeral Home
