Richard ""Dick"" Paul Eichacker

Richard ""Dick"" Paul Eichacker, 81, with Saundra, his wife and best friend by his side, passed away at home in Arvada, Colorado, April 27, 2020, after a ten-year battle with prostate cancer and lymphoma. Dick was the pillar of strength for his family, loved life, and lived it to its fullest no matter what the adventure. He is genuinely and deeply missed by many.

Dick was born in Akron, Iowa, to Paul William Eichacker and Thelma Francis Bridgeman. He was the oldest of three siblings. He has two sisters, Betty and Mary. While attending high school, Dick was active in all sports; track and field, including shot put, football, basketball, and enjoyed choir and theater. After leaving high school, he joined the U.S. Navy in July of 1956 and did his basic training in San Diego, CA. After basic training, his Navy experience took him to Corpus Christi, TX. Continuing on the military journey, he went to Long Beach, CA, and boarded the USS Thetis Bay Aircraft Carrier, 7th Fleet, which took him to the South Pacific for 12 months. The Thetis Bay visited ports in Okinawa, Yokosuka, Japan, Formosa, Borneo, Philippines, South China Sea, Laos, and Vietnam. Their tour ended, and they docked in Long Beach in 1960. Dick was a ""kiddie cruisier"" as he was honorably discharged before he turned 21. Dick was baptized while in basic training at NAS Corpus Christi.

After being discharged from the Navy, he made Colorado his home. He met Saundra, who was teaching at Emmaus Lutheran. They instantly fell in love and were married on July 14, 1962, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Greeley, CO. Dick and Saundra moved to Omaha, NE, where he attended Radio Engineering Institute (REI). He graduated from REI in 1965 and worked for Sperry Rand in Minneapolis, MN, Deco Electronics in Boulder, CO, which took him to Guam for four months and other field trips, Coors Brewery, Golden CO, and was a Snap-on-Tools dealer in Denver, CO, for 25 years. He retired in 1998.

He loved to travel with his wife, Saunie, children Kurt and Kara, and grandchildren Torin, Amber, and Zoë. His travels took him to all 50 states and many foreign countries. He also loved the wonders of nature, which took him camping, fishing, hunting, hiking, jeeping, skiing, motorcycling, and scuba diving. His curiosity had his eyes in many books, magazines, and a collection of National Geographic magazines from 1970 to present.

Dick is preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Thelma Eichacker. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Saundra Eichacker; sisters, Betty Weddle and Mary Hedden of Waco, TX; son, Kurt Eichacker of Northglenn, CO, and Kurt’s fiancé, Angel Saunders of Denver, CO; daughter, Kara Ferguson, and son-in-law; John Ferguson of Boones Mill, VA; grandchildren, Torin, Amber and Zoë, and many nieces and nephews.

Thanks to family and friends who have supported Dick with prayers and friendship through his cancer journey. It was difficult having two cancers, metastatic prostate, and follicular lymphoma.
Dick volunteered his time with Orphan Grain Train, he was a member of Peace Lutheran Church, an assistant coach of soccer while kids were growing up, a member of the Republican Men's Club of Jefferson County and Alumni member of the USS Thetis Bay Association.

Dick will be laid to rest at Fort Logan National Cemetery on Friday, July 24, 2020 at 9:30 AM (staging area B) and a Memorial Service to follow at 11am at Peace Lutheran Church, 5675 Field Street
Arvada, CO 80002.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in the name of Dick Eichacker to:
Orphan Grain Train, Rocky Mountain Colorado West
601 W. Phillip Avenue
PO Box 1466
Norfolk, NE 68701-1466
Donate online via bloomerang
Add to Comments: Dick Eichacker- OTG Rocky Mountain Colorado West
www.ogt.org

Or to:
Peace Lutheran Scholarship Fund
5675 Field Street
Arvada, CO 80002

Please share memories of Dick and condolences with his family by signing the online guestbook below.

Committal Service: July 24, 2020 9:30 am

Fort Logan National Cemetery
3698 South Sheridan Boulevard
Denver, CO 80236
(303) 761-0117
https://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/ftlogan.asp

Memorial Service: July 24, 2020 11:00 am

Peace Lutheran Church
5675 Field Street
Arvada, CO 80002
(303) 424-4454
https://peacelutheran.net/