Delivered by Christy Eichers at Al Eichers Funeral on April 18, 2013

My family and I have been absolutely overwhelmed by all the people who have been touched by Dad. Thank you all for being here with us to celebrate his life.  While we didn’t have as long as would have liked with him, we have the most amazing memories – it’s not the quantity of one’s life, it ‘s the quality of life.  And Dad lived a great life.

We all learned so much from him… I thought I’d use this time to share with you some “Great Life Lessons from Dad.”

Be a Gracious Host
Mom and Dad taught us to be hospitable. Open your doors, welcome people in, and always, always have enough food and beverages. Last Monday evening, when Dad was in the ICU, family and friends filled and spilled out of Dad’s room. Dad was pretty weak and it was a struggle to speak, but at one point he said,  “John Paul, have you met Brad?” He also said, “You guys should get them a beer.”  Mom was pleased he hadn’t lost his social graces.

Negotiate
Dad was a masterful negotiator.  I’m sure some of you in this room did not want to be on the other side of the table when he negotiated.  Lord knows Mom didn’t always want to be in the same room when he was negotiating.  I first remember seeing him in action when we took a family vacation to El Paso to visit Uncle Pat. We crossed the border and visited a market. When Annie and I found perfectly tooled leather purses, I couldn’t figure out why he didn’t buy them – he just walked away.  Before we left the market, Annie and I got our purses and Joel got his leather hat – AND Dad certainly didn’t pay the asking price, nor the second offer. I doubt he paid the third.

Last Fall Dad was hospitalized. He had started to lose a lot of strength and asked us to get him a lift chair for the living room.  Mom and I ran all over town and at our last stop, we finally found a chair that would be delivered the next day. I was so relieved to have found one I would have paid anything for it.  When the sales clerk walked away Mom quietly said, “Your Father would have negotiated something.” And when the clerk returned Mom said, “Is there anything you can do?  I can’t imagine we would need to pay the delivery fee.”  And, we didn’t.

Pitch In and Help Out – Work Hard
When Joel was in college, he returned each summer to work on one of Dad’s sewer crews.  Dad shared these words of wisdom with him “ Don’t wait to have someone tell you what to do – just pick up the shovel.  Even if it’s wrong, start working.  You don’t want to be the guy who backs up to the pay window on Friday.” I know this one took me a while to figure out, but it’s a good one to start when you are young.  So, grandkids, let me break this one down for you, “When you see a sink full of dishes, wash them. When the dishwasher is clean, unload it. And when your mom comes home with a car full of groceries, help her carry them in.

Be Practical
Dad was a very practical guy — he demonstrated his practicality when he selected his minor in college.  Dad was a business major with a minor in history. Why history? Because his big brother Curt was a history major and he had all the books Dad needed.

Get Your Priorities Right!
Shortly after I got my drivers license, Dad got a new truck. It was a warm spring day and I’m not sure why, but I was driving the truck.  I ran down to the Government Center to Xerox a bunch of copies for a 4-H project.  When I was driving home, I rolled all the windows down… I’m sure it had fancy automatic windows… and when I took my first turn out of the parking lot, the collated papers started to fly all over. As I reached over to grab them, I held onto the steering wheel and drove right into a parked car.

Dad’s car was equipped with a phone radio with an intercom and I called home. Mom came down and the cop came. While the cop was writing the report Dad called on the radio and when I answered, this is what he said over the intercom, “Are you ok?” I replied yes. Followed by, “Is anyone hurt?” I replied with no… and finally he asked, “Do you need me for anything?”  I said no. He said this before he hung up, “Ok then, I’ll see you at home.” The cop shook his head in disbelief, “I’ve never heard a Dad respond like that to a kid crashing a car.” It was his brand new truck and it just didn’t matter. Dad always said that vehicles are just there to get you from point a to point b — it doesn’t matter what you’re driving as long as you get there safely. The lesson: Care more about the cargo than the car!

Pay it Forward
Before the concept of “paying it forward” was trendy, Dad was living it. I’m sure many of you in this room experienced Dad’s generosity. Dad always drove a pick-up truck and was more than happy to loan it to you when you needed to move something big. He loved to fish and would share his catch with Mom’s friends. He stopped in to visit ailing friends, tended Babe’s garden when she was ill, and would even rescue your kids when you were at a Super Bowl game and they were home with a babysitter during a blizzard! He was the most loyal friend you could hope to have –- there for you at any time.

Take Care of Your Family
Dad always put his family first. As kids he worked hard and we didn’t want for anything. He and mom created wonderful memories with us. Throughout his life, he put family first.  In July we gathered as an extended family at the “Radisson on Madison” for our annual “Firecracker” party.  Dad worked hard to get ready for this party and made sure each party was filled with fond memories for all of us — the fish fry, pontoon rides, and of course the shooting off of the Potato Gun.  I know each great niece and nephew sat on dad’s lap to steer the pontoon and waited in line for a turn shooting the potato gun. He worked hard to create special memories for all of us. And we are so very blessed with all these amazing memories.

Last year, he planned a surprise 75th birthday party for Mom in Florida. He was in his element working his “to do” list to pull this off. Ann, Joel, and I were fortunate enough to fly down for this weekend of celebrations.  We all stayed together in a big house with Uncle Curt, Aunt Janet, Uncle Delt, and Aunt Helen.  I wish I could recall what I asked him, but I remember him saying, “A little brother gets to take care of his big brothers.”

The night we checked him into the ICU, the Doctor advised us to go home and get some sleep.  As we said good-bye to him, he struggled to say something to me. He had that awkward bi-pap machine covering his face.  After three tries, I finally understood him.  He said, “Take care of your Mom.” And Mom, I want you to know we will.  And I have no doubt everybody in this room is going to take good care of you for Dad.

I have many more lessons to share, but Mom told me to keep it short.  So I’ll end with a message to Dad:

Dad, we are going to miss you terribly. But please know the lessons you taught us will guide us throughout our lives and the precious memories you created will fill our hearts each day.  We could never say it enough when you were here, so I’d like to say it one more time… thank you for everything you did for us…. We are eternally grateful. And you truly are the best!