Michael Eichman

Michael Wayne Eichman

June 4, 1953 - November 22, 2014

Michael Wayne Eichman died peacefully at home surrounded by dear friends and family in Salem, OR, on November 22, 2014, nearly 3 years after being diagnosed with ALS. Michael was born in Colorado Springs, CO, on June 4, 1953, the first child of Harold and Shirley Eichman and the the eldest of six brothers. He graduated from Wasson High School in Colorado Springs, CO, in 1971, and received a B.S. in Elementary Education from Western Oregon State College in 1989.

Michael arrived in OR aboard a freight train, riding it from CO through the Western U.S. in 1973. He worked at Teaching Research with handicapped children and in the summer also worked at, and eventually became the director of a camp for children with disabilities. Initially called Camp Civitan it was renamed Upward Bound Recreational Camping for the Handicapped, the first nonprofit he founded in his lifetime of public service.

He had two sons with his first wife, Megan Patricia Hornby: Henry Noah Eichman in 1977 and Zachariah David Eichman in 1979. At that time he worked for Head Start as a Family Advocate in Dallas, OR. Later Michael was divorced and married Dina Marie Triest in 1989. That year he taught 5th grade in Lafayette and then returned to Salem Family Head Start as a Component Coordinator.

In 1995 he accepted a job with the Yamhill Community Action Program as Director of a Head Start in Yamhill County. Within his first year he organized a separation of Head Start from the Community Action Program and founded Head Start of Yamhill County, the second nonprofit he formed. During his almost 20 years with the organization, he acquired land and built four new buildings and developed a nationally recognized foundation, Friends of Head Start of Yamhill County, to raise funds and provide stability for the future of the organization. In 2013, one of the centers he built was dedicated as the Michael Eichman Center in honor of his commitment and passion for families and children. Out of his commitment to community service he joined Rotary International and served on the boards of the Willamette Education Service District and Salem Library Foundation. He founded and was on the board of the Luckiamute Elementary School in Monmouth, which his two sons attended. He was a dedicated humanitarian who touched many lives.

Michael's exceedingly curious mind, abundant energy, and social nature led him to pursue many interests and create many friendships. He loved hiking and camping with family and friends and was an accomplished musician who played accordion and mandolin, first in the Luckiamute River String Band for 20 years and later in the Orchard Mountain String Band. He was also an avid reader and a member of the Tome Trek book club.

He will be greatly missed and forever loved by his surviving family: his wife Dina Triest; his parents Harold and Shirley Eichman; 2 sons, Henry and Zachariah Eichman; 2 step-children, Stacey and Steven Cozart; and 7 grandchildren: Theodor and Alexander Cozart-Madsen, Mackenzie and Zachary Cozart, and Oscar, Eleanor and Rosemary Eichman, and 5 brothers; Dean, Bob, Henry Allan, Raymond, and Richard Eichman.

A memorial service will be held on December 1st at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Salem at 5090 Center Street NE, Salem, OR 97317.

In remembrance of Michael, those who wish to give a donation in his name are encouraged to do so to his Simply Music Fund. The Simply Music Fund's aim is to bring access to music and musical instruments to people whose life situations preclude easy access. To make a donation online, please visit http://www.oregoncf.org/givenow and select the Simply Music Fund from the options below, making sure to also include "Simply Music Fund" into the "In Honor of" field. To make a donation by check or mail, please make payable to "OCF - Simply Music Fund" and send to Chane Griggs/OCF, 1313 Mill Street SE, Suite 203, Salem, OR 97301.