John Eich

ASTORIA, Ore. — John Robert Eich, CDR, U.S. Navy (retired), died Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015, at his home in Astoria, near the sea that he loved.

He was born June 16, 1949, in Bogotá, Colombia, to the late Paul G. and Kathleen Safford Eich. He lived his formative years in Talara and Lima, Peru, and Tripoli, Libya.

He is survived by brothers Paul H. (Cathy), of Lancaster, Ohio, and William (Linda), of Durango, Colo.; sister Susan, of Portland, Ore.; nephews Lance (Tanya), of Vancouver, Canada, and Max, of Perth, Australia; nieces Natalie (Kiu) Shahrokh, of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Stephanie Eich, of Columbus; great-niece Azi Shahrokh; and many cousins and friends from Switzerland, Italy and throughout the world.

He lived with his grandparents, Harold and Navola Safford, while he attended Gallia Academy High School, from which he graduated in 1968. He went on to attend Ohio University and while there, he earned recognition as a member of the national honor societies Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi. He graduated summa cum laude in 1972. He received his M.Ed. from the University of Southern California and his J.D. from Willamette University in Salem, Ore.

John enlisted in the U.S. Navy as an apprentice seaman, advanced to petty officer and then graduated from Officers' School in Newport, R.I., and was commissioned as ensign (USN). He served throughout the world, from Rota, Spain, to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and Bremerton, Wash. During his service, he received numerous commendations and awards. He retired after 25 years of service.

John's second career was with the Oregon state government, O.L.C.C. He was temporarily recalled to active duty to assist in the decommissioning of the San Francisco Naval Yard. He loved his country and the U.S. Navy.

John was a humble and modest man, seldom speaking of his many academic, military and professional recognitions, honors and achievements. He grew and tended his beautiful flower gardens and landscapes, a trait he inherited from his beloved maternal grandmother. He was generous to those in need. There were no animals, either domestic or wild, that were not well fed in his back yard.

In his retirement, John was often asked to serve for burial services as the ranking senior military officer at the Willamette National Cemetery. He will now be interred there with full military honors.

The time of services will be determined when his family and friends from around the world can gather to honor him.

In his memory, be kind to one another and to those animals in need.

"Fair winds and following seas" dear brother, uncle, cousin and friends.