Cloudy, 44° F
(March 13, 1934 - March 29, 2012)
Charles “Chuck” Eicher of Cody, died Thursday, March 29, 2012, after a two-year battle with pulmonary fibrosis. He was 78.
Chuck was born in Shellsburg, Pa., on March 13, 1934 to Elvin “Al” Eicher and Nellie Snyder-Eicher. His mother died of tuberculosis when he was 4 years old.
Chuck grew up on the road as his father helped build pipelines from the eastern states to the western states. They eventually settled in Cody, where Chuck graduated from Cody High School in 1953. It was in high school that Chuck met the love of his life; Jean Marie Lawrence.
In 1953 Chuck enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and was sent to Korea where he fought in the Korean War. In 1955, while still serving stateside, he married Jean Marie on April 24, 1955. They lived in Oceanside, Calif., until he finished his service in 1956. What he learned in the Corps is how he would live his life. They returned to Cody and settled there. Chuck began working for the Cody Gas Company in 1957 and eventually became the company foreman. In 1958 their one and only child, Danny, was born.
On Dec. 16, 1964, Chuck was severely burned when a gas pipeline exploded, just south of Cody. Art Manorgan, who was sitting next to Chuck at the time, was killed in the blast. The temperature was -30 and all heat was lost in the town of Cody. People overwhelmed the electrical grid while using stoves for heat. Electrical power was then lost and the town of Cody truly “froze.” Power was restored because the people in Cody banded together to help one another. After a long recovery, Chuck worked for the gas company for a total of 40 years, retiring in 1997.
During his years in Cody, Chuck was an active member of the Cody Volunteer Fire Department for 26 years. While he participated in many fires, he was the Fire Chief when The Cody Enterprise fire occurred on May 20, 1974. Despite the efforts of many people, fireman Bob Moore and Enterprise employee Eric Olsen succumbed to the blaze. While personally touched by this loss, Chuck took this opportunity, along with many other firemen to build the fire department to what it is today.
He could often be seen driving the restored vintage fire truck, double 00.
He volunteered his time and effort to help build the Wyoming Korean War Memorial and the Wyoming World War II Memorial. He was proud of both and it was a highlight of his life to see both memorials dedicated.
Chuck was not a “touchy-feely” kind of man. He believed that this country gave him a great opportunity — and he could make the most of it. He felt no one was “owed” anything and that we must earn our way in life. He did both. He worked in his off hours as a welder and was not afraid to do hard physical labor. He was a demanding boss and expected much of his employees. He wanted the job done right “the first time.”
While not college educated, he was extremely bright. Along with the “school of hard knocks” he devised smart solutions to difficult problems. His personal shop was twice as big as his house and he worked in it constantly with every conceivable tool. His one personal indulgence was a 1999 red Dodge Viper which he only drove in perfect weather. Living in Cody, it only had 7,600 miles on it when he died.
He loved to hunt, fish and camp and he loved Wyoming. He loved his family and had many, many friends.
He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Jean Eicher and his son Danny J. Eicher, M.D. (Jacque) of Denver; one granddaughter, Laura Eicher of Denver; and one half sister, Nancy Kay Bowers of Roaring Springs, Pa. Along with many others, two very close friends who enriched his life were Scott Myers and Tim Good.
Chuck did not wish for funeral services and cremation has taken place. A future memorial will be held.
Ballard Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. An online registry is available at www.ballardfh.com.
