Joseph Eichinger

Joseph Eichinger

Joseph Edward Eichinger, 65, passed away at home surrounded by his family on Monday, March 8, 2010 after a three month battle with pancreatic cancer. His family, friends, and colleagues are deeply grieving the loss of Joe's presence in their lives. Yet we are so very thankful for the time that we shared with this kind, creative, and generous man.
Joe was born in Chicago on June 13, 1944 and grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. He attended Morton High School and graduated with a degree in electrical engineering from Kettering University in 1967. After landing a job with Honeywell, he moved to Seattle, WA in 1969.
Joe had a long and fascinating career in the Seattle area. In 1976 he became the 13th employee in a startup ultrasound company, Advanced Technology Labs (ATL), when it was, literally, a business in a garage. It is now Phillips Laboratories in Bothell, WA. Since that time Joe has been a co-founder, CEO, or a motivating force behind a number of local companies in the medical device industry including Neopath, EKOS, Therus, AcousTx, and CoAptus.
Over the years, Joe had been an active contributor to the University of Washington. His important contributions were recognized this year when he became the first ever recipient of the UW's Department of Bioengineering Service Award.
Joe was a devoted and loving husband, father, friend, and mentor. He leaves behind his loving wife of 19 years, Mary, and his two wonderful sons, Joey and Luke. Though Joe had many successes in life, what he was most proud of were his two teenage boys. They brought him so much joy. Together they loved to travel, spend time at their summer beach home, and attend their many athletic and scouting events.
Joe leaves behind his brother and sister-in-law, Ken and Irma Eichinger, and their children, Jeff, Kevin and Julie (Mike). He also leaves behind his mother-in-law, Lois Lewis; brother-in-law, Mike (Wendy); sisters-in-law, Diane (Dave) and Susan (Steven); and numerous nieces and nephews.
Joe was preceded in death by his father and mother, Joseph and Valerie Eichinger; his sister, Sharon DeCanio; and his father-in-law, David Lewis.
Joe will be remembered most by his family and friends as someone who was constantly energetic, creative, and persistent. He radiated the entrepreneurial spirit and instilled it in others. He was our role model.
A memorial will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 13, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 2510 Hoyt Ave, Everett 98201. Reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in Joe's name to Virginia Mason Pancreatic Bilary Cancer Fund, Dr. Vincent Picozzi, Mailstop B2-VMMC, 1100 9th Ave, Seattle, WA 98111.