FERNANDO ECHAVARRIA-URIBE

ECHAVARRIA-URIBE-- Fernando. Fernando Echavarria-Uribe was born in Medellin, Colombia on June 4, 1943. He was the son of Hernan Echavarria and Marta Uribe Echavarria. As a young boy, he was sent to Staunton Military Academy in Virginia. After graduating, he went to Hillsdale College. He was known as ETCH by the members of his beloved fraternity, Delta Tau Delta. He regarded his time at Hillsdale with his fraternity brothers as the best years of his life. After graduating Hillsdale, he went to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute where he graduated with an MS in Management. In 1968 he married Anne Eisenhower, the granddaughter of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, at Valley Forge. They had a daughter together, Adriana. Fernando worked as an executive at Colseguros and later represented Mattel in Colombia. He then moved back to New York City where he worked in the textile industry. He remarried and had three children. Years later, Fernando moved back to Bogota, where he lived out the rest of his years. However, his love for the U.S. always remained, and he loved coming to New York City, a place he considered home. He was an avid reader and a lover of classical music and opera. He loved life and lived it to the fullest. He is survived by his daughter, Adriana Echavarria-Eisenhower, as well as his grandchildren, Nicolas and Camila Mendoza. He is also survived by his beloved sister, Rosita Echavarria de Fajardo. In his own words, "I have been a lucky guy. I have encountered good people in my path and have many cherished memories that make my heart bloom. I have been hurt by bad people too. Yes, life is tough. Life is not fair but life is beautiful. Enjoy the present and keep in mind that at the end, all will be alright."