Lois Harper Eichacker

1932 - 2018

Lois Harper Eichacker

Las Vegas, NV - Lois Harper Eichacker, formerly of Fort Madison and Iowa City, Iowa, a community activist who dedicated her career to helping the disadvantaged, died on November 18, 2018, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Lois was born in Keokuk, Iowa on November 25, 1932, to Dr. Harry D. Harper and Lillie G. Harper. She attended St. Joseph's Elementary School and graduated from Fort Madison High School in 1950. Lois attended the University of Wisconsin, University of Iowa, and received her bachelor's degree from Ohio State University in 1956.

Upon returning to Iowa, Lois dedicated her career to improving the lives of Iowans who were less fortunate. She advocated for women, minorities, children living in poverty, the working poor and the elderly. She was passionate about equal opportunity in employment and universal healthcare. Her tireless work to help shape public policy at the local, state and regional levels continues to create new opportunities for those unable to fend for themselves. Lois became active in the Community Action Program, eventually becoming the Executive Director of the Southeast Iowa Community Action Organization, a position that she held for 15 years before retiring in 1989. Additionally, she was elected President of the Iowa Community Action Directors Association, President of the Region 7 Community Action Directors Association, and was the Region 7 Representative on the National CAP Directors Association Board.

In addition to her career, Lois devoted countless hours of her time to causes for which she had a passion. She served on the Lee County Human Services Commission, the State Job Training Coordinating Council Board, Investing in People, the Council on Human Investment, the State Planning Council, the Institute for Social and Economic Development, the Iowa Humanities Board, the Iowa Legal Aid Board and Governor Branstad's Long-Term Care Task Force. She held positions as either the President or Chair of several organizations including, the Iowa Department of Economic Development, the Iowa Commission of Community Action Agencies, the African American Museum of Iowa, and she was the first African American to serve as President of the University of Iowa Alumni Association's Board of Directors. Lois' personal papers documenting her professional and civic activities at the local and state levels are maintained in the Iowa Women's Archives at the University of Iowa Libraries.

As a result of her passion for helping others, Lois received numerous awards and honors. The Head Start neighborhood center in Fort Madison bears her name. She received the Education Dedicated Individual of the Year Award, the University of Iowa Black Alumni Association Award for Dedicated Service, and she was honored as an Outstanding Partner in Community Action for the State of Iowa. In 1994, she was inducted into the prestigious Iowa Women's Hall of Fame. In 1997, Legal Services Corporation of Iowa awarded her its Excellence in Service Award. In 1999, the University of Iowa awarded her the Distinguished Alumni Award for Service, noting that "through a commitment to improving opportunities and the quality of life for every individual, regardless of economic status, Eichacker has served her community, state, and nation." In 2014 the African American Museum of Iowa honored her at their History Makers Gala as "an individual who, by their actions, modify the course of history, imparting knowledge and impacting the communities in which we live. Through their existence and influence, history is forever changed."

Lois was a member of the Catholic Church, the NAACP, the American Association of University Women, the Federated Women's Club, the League of Women Voters, Amnesty International, the African American Museum of Iowa, the Founders Club of the Newman Catholic Student Center, the University of Iowa Alumni Association's Directors Club Honors Circle, the University of Iowa Foundation's Presidents Club, and was a Hancher Partner.

Lois is survived by her husband of forty-nine years, George; three children, Milton (Julie) of Gilbert, AZ, Lois of Chicago, IL, and Virginia of Las Vegas, NV; one grandson, Kenton of Las Vegas, NV; as well as seven nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established at the Eichacker Center in care of Community Action of Southeast Iowa, 2850 Mount Pleasant Street, Suite 108, Burlington, Iowa 52601. Please note Eichacker Memorial on your donation.

A memorial mass will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 12, 2019, at the Newman Catholic Student Center, 104 East Jefferson Street, Iowa City, IA 52245.