Milton Frank Eberhard

Milton Frank Eberhard, on October 22, 2005 Milton died as a result of a motor vehicle accident in Scottsdale, Arizona. He is survived by his four sons: Kirk (Gloria) Eberhard, Eric Eberhard, Chad (Audrey) Eberhard, Todd Eberhard. His sister Lydia (Melba, Idaho) and brother Hugo (Ogden, Utah) are the remaining of his four siblings. His wife, Evelyn, preceded him in death in 2001. Born, January 25, 1920, in the most humble of circumstances to immigrant German parents, he was raised in Melba, Idaho. As a member of a homesteader family, he and his family railed the land of sagebrush to eek out a living in the harsh desert. From those unpretentious beginnings, he worked his way through college, served as the student body president, and graduated from the University of Idaho. There he met his wife of 58 years. After graduation and service in the Philippines during World War II, he began his career with the US Forest Service in Boise, Idaho. Wanting to be involved in the Idaho potato business, he and Evelyn, unannounced, sought out a potato broker who was playing golf in Sun Valley, Idaho. It was here, during the Idaho Shippers and Growers annual convention, that he committed to become an unpaid apprentice in the business for the following two years. It was only a few years later that he would serve as president of the Idaho Shippers and Growers Association, then become the head of the national organization. He and Evelyn bought and renovated a farm near Blackfoot, Idaho, to raise their four boys. From potato salesman and farmer, he became the president and CEO of Basic American Foods based in San Francisco, California. He retired to Scottsdale, Arizona, in 1986 and embraced Evelyn's passion for horse racing. Continuing his lifelong pursuit and advancement of education, he and Evelyn established educational endowments at the University of Idaho and the Arizona State University, and gave openly to the Phoenix Zoo, establishing 'Evelyn's night camp,' part of the Zoo's Reach Program to underprivileged children in the region. He lived and taught that the greatest value a man can embrace is his honesty and integrity. He was at home in his farm clothes as much as a corporate suit. A private family celebration of his life with be held. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Phoenix Zoo Reach Program, 455 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix, AZ 85008.