Karl P. Eichner

Karl P. Eichner of Palm Springs, California, passed away in his home on November 2, 2008 with his daughter, Karly, by his side. In his own words, "The End of An Interesting Journey."

Born on May 14, 1928, in Erding, Germany, Karl served as a Student Soldier in World War II, Luftwaffenoberhelfer (1/475) and achieved the Merit Awards Flakampfabzeichen and Kriegsverdienstmedaille II Klasse und Schwertern. It tickled him that the current Pope also served in the same double battalion!

Following the war, Karl was invited to Cornell and Columbia Universities as a part of their Fulbright Fellowship Program and fell in love with the United States. While always connected to his Bavarian roots, Karl loved being an American and took great pride in speaking and writing the language beautifully and voted in every single election, from local to national, every year of his life.

Karl was a newspaper man. He worked in Munich, Germany on staff of the Suddeutsche Zeitung and was an accidental founder of the Abendzeitung. In the States, he was a classified and display salesman for the Oxnard Press Courier of Ventura County, California. Before his retirement in 1978, Karl was easily recognizable as the only ad salesman to arrive on a Lambretta Scooter while dressed in his very proper suit and tie!

Opera, sports, photography and airplanes were among Karl's passions. He was a longtime member and Colonel in the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) and a founding member of the Palm Springs Air Museum.

He loved to travel, most often with his wife of 48 years, Virginia. Karl's Proudest Travel Accomplishment: he physically visited all 50 US State Capitols!

While in Sisters, he enjoyed the camaraderie of The Gallery lounge and it was a comfort to him. He was adopted by the Lusby family's friends and was grateful to Cory Stengel who hosted a "Man Breakfast" after hearing Karl complain that the only thing wrong with being here was that his daughter wouldn't let him eat red meat in the house!

The years after Ginny died (2005) were challenging ones, but Karl rose to the occasion. He opened his heart and became more loving and gentle, he had to learn how to take care of himself and he did so with grace and courage. When he was diagnosed with cancer in 2007 he moved to Central Oregon to be with family; but his heart longed for his California desert home and so he returned there to enjoy his last few months.

Not enough can be said about the incredible quality of life Karl had in his last months due to the profoundly gifted Nurse Dan and the staff of Family Hospice Services.

To all the friends who have supported us through these challenging times, not enough can be said, so we'll simply say, "You are a blessing to our lives, we cherish and appreciate you. THANK YOU."

Karl was preceded in death by his parents, Karl and Therese, brothers Fritz and Dieter, and sister Maria. In mourning are his daughter Karly Drake-Lusby with husband Kevin and son Zachary of Sister, brother Siegfried with wife Katharina and daughter Sabine, Munich, Germany; sister Elisabeth McAvinue and sons Steven and Sean, Ulm, Germany; and many beloved relatives and friends.

Information provided by the family of Karl Eichner.