Henry Louis Eickhoff

Mr. Henry Louis Eickhoff, age 96 years 7 months, of LaGrange, passed away peacefully May 11, 2016 at his home.

Born the son of Gesche and Louis Eickhoff, he grew up in Glendale, Long Island, New York. From an early age he was as entrepreneur selling rabbits and making soap for railroad workers. A graduate of Brooklyn Polytech with a Mechanical Engineering Degree, he assumed responsibility for running the Ford Instrument Company during World War II. With over 60 inventions for the war effort, he also led the company to receive "E Awards" for all four divisions from both the Navy and Army. Following the war years, Louis moved on in business to partner with Bernie Schwartz where he ran other operations such as Robco and Patchogue-Plymouth. While with PP, Louis invented and perfected the process to run ribbon yarn from poly-propylene which revolutionized the carpet backing industry. The lead engineer for the Draper-Eickhoff loom, Louis also re-engineered the short Sultzer loom to wide capacity to manufacture goods up to 12 feet wide. When Patchogue-Plymouth was acquired by Amoco Oil, Louis assumed responsibility as Vice-President of the textiles division and managed over 15 different plants and operations in the United States, Scotland, and England. Again on the leading edge, Louis worked with plastics and was instrumental in the first plastic drink bottles. He retired from BP Amoco in 1986. As co-owner he established General Fibers and Fabrics in LaGrange and a sister-plant in Soperton, GA in 1972 along with Elm Engineering to support those plants. Louis loved attending First Baptist Church on the Square on Sunday mornings for over 15 years. He was a 75 year member of the Tadmore Lodge 923 Free & Accepted Masons, Long Island, New York. He was a member of the local Elm City Masonic Lodge #544, the Yaarab Shriners in Atlanta, GA and a life-time member of the Cherokee Town & Country club in Atlanta. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred Heissenbuttle-Eickhoff; sister, Augusta Lillian Eickhoff; a life-long friend and brother, Clarence Wiebel.

Surviving family members include, daughter, Bonnie (Chuck) Berk of Sandy Springs, GA, Cheryl (Kenneth) Gordon of LaGrange, GA; sons, Henry "Skip" (Ruby) Eickhoff, Ronald (Diane) Eickhoff; grandchildren, Amy (Andy) Anderson of Denver, CO, Jessica (Mike) McCormac of Denver, CO, Stacy (Mike) Carnall of Atlanta, GA, Jennifer (Josh) Edmondson of Atlanta, GA, Michelle, Laura, Kevin Gordon, Taylor, Emilee Eickhoff; seven great grandchildren; also surviving him is his extended family and caregiver, Catherine Bowen, son, Clete (Tina) Bowen and grandson, Justin Bowen, niece Marian Simmons; other relatives and friends.

The Gathering of Family and Friends will be Friday, May 13, 2016 from 5:00pm until 7:00pm at the funeral home. The Funeral service will be 11:00am Saturday, May 14, 2016 at First Baptist Church on the Square in LaGrange, GA with Pastor Cade Farris and Dr. Paul Baxter officiating. Burial will follow in Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs, GA at 3:00pm.

Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to the charity of your choice in memory of Henry Louis Eickhoff.

Those wishing to share a condolence or remembrance with the family may do so by visiting www.shlagrange.com.

Arrangements are by Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 1010 Mooty Bridge Road, LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 884-8636