Obituary
Robert Eugene Eichel
11/17/1931 – 7/22/2021
Robert was born in Parker, South Dakota to Herbert and Vera Eichel. He went to a country school for eight years, then to high school in Parker, where he met, and later married, Bonnie Wrage. To their marriage, they added three sons, Dale, David, and Dain. It was in Parker South Dakota where he learned to fly.
Robert always owned a small airplane, so he and Bonnie and the boys flew around a lot.
Robert always loved airplanes, so while in high school, he and his friends joined the Air National Guard. During the Korean war, they were deployed to Rapid City Air Force Base, under the command of Joe Foss, working on P51s, the fastest fighter planes at that time.
He then went to school to be an air traffic controller. After school, they sent him to Chicago, the busiest airport at that time. From there he went to Colorado, then to Oregon, then to Washington State, with each move getting a promotion.
The last move was to Oregon for a second time, where he found a beautiful spot with a view of Mt. Hood and he enjoyed 26 years of sitting on the deck in the morning, enjoying the birds. Well, they were flyers too.
He leaves behind his wife of 68 years, Bonnie, sons Dale (Anna) and Dain, 5 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.