1965

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William Lee Eichenberg ’65 was born on Oct. 20, 1943, in San Jose to William Eichenberg ’41 and Laura Jean Eichenberg, Bill spent most of his life growing up in San Bernardino, California. He graduated from San Bernardino High School in 1961 and from SCU. Upon graduation, he was commissioned into the U.S. Army. He served on active duty in Vietnam from September 1966 to March 1968. Shortly after his return, he met Florence (Flo) Reuland, and they were married on June 28, 1969, at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey. After leaving active duty, Bill began a career in county and city government, which took the newlyweds to Visalia and Camarillo, California, eventually settling in Ridgecrest, California, where he served as city administrator from 1978 to 1982. In 1983, Bill began work for the Department of Defense at China Lake, where he served in numerous roles until his retirement in 2004. He also remained an active member of the U.S. Army Reserve and retired with the rank of lieutenant colonel in 1993 after 28 years of service. In addition to serving in Vietnam, Bill served on active duty for Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm from 1990 to 1991 at the Pentagon. He was active in many local organizations, especially St. Ann Church and the Friends of the Ridgecrest Branch Library. In his retirement years, he and Flo enjoyed traveling the world and visiting their family and friends. Bill went to be with the Lord on Oct. 29, 2017, after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 74. Bill is survived by Flo, his wife of 48 years, and his children and grandchildren: James Eichenberg ’92 of Pacific Grove; Robert “Bob” Eichenberg ’94, and Julie (Zach and Tyler) of Atlanta, Georgia; Caroline Manno ’99 and Sal Manno (Luke, Gianna, Daniel, and Therese) of Wildomar, California; and Will and Michelle (Penelope and William) of Phoenix, Arizona; brother Thomas “Tom” Eichenberg ’76 (Yvonne) of Elk Grove, California; and four nieces and one nephew. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Eichenberg ’41 and Jean, brother James “Jim” Eichenberg ’77, and sister Katherine. Bill was a humble man of great faith and a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.

08 Nov 2018