Frederick Luther Eichberger

Frederick Luther Eichberger fell asleep in Jesus on Thursday, July 13th, 2023, at the age of 80. Fred was born in Detroit on October 9th, 1942, to Robert L. and Dorthea A. (Schmaltz) Eichberger. Fred earned an undergraduate degree in education from Concordia, River Forest, and a master’s degree in education from Eastern Michigan University. Fred married Connie Burch in Hamlet, Indiana on August 8th, 1964. In his first assignment, Fred served as the Youth Director at Calvary Lutheran Church in East Meadow, New York. Fred went on to serve many churches and schools throughout his 50-year career in coaching, teaching, youth leadership, university admissions and school administration, moving between his three favorite states of New York, Michigan, and Indiana. Fred cultivated his love for high school basketball by developing several players and championship teams as a head basketball coach. In addition to working in these fields, Fred owned and operated two family businesses: KOA campground in Hanna, Indiana and Polaris Motor vans in Valparaiso, Indiana. To expand his skills further and try new things, he also drove a CTA Trolley bus for the City of Chicago, sold cars for Barile Ford, worked at the Detroit News, built decks, and operated an ice cream stand. In his final formal assignment, he served as Pastor Schneider’s assistant at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in McHenry, Illinois until 2013. In his spare time, Fred maintained a deep commitment to leading adult bible study classes as well as building and sharing a personal library filled with classic literature and commentary from leading historians and theologians. In fact, he co-led a course on the Genesis creation narrative just weeks before his death. He also taught children and friends how to play chess, Monopoly and Scrabble. Importantly, he rooted enthusiastically and unceasingly for the Michigan Wolverines football team. Fred is survived by his four children, David (Annemarie) Eichberger, Christa (John) Markgraff, Jeremy (Robin) Eichberger, and Caroline Eichberger, seven grandchildren, Lauren (Lukas) Reynolds, Seraphine Markgraff, Nicole Eichberger, Gavin Markgraff, Julia Eichberger, Tyler Eichberger, and Jacob Eichberger. He is survived by his four brothers, Rob (Elaine) Eichberger, Tim (Kathy) Eichberger, Mark (Donna) Eichberger and Paul (Annette) Eichberger and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his ex-wife Connie Wegner and fiancé Carolyn McClellan. Fred’s friends and fellow residents will honor him at an upcoming service on Friday, July 21st at 2pm Est at Lake Morton Plaza, 400 S. Florida Ave, Lakeland, FL. Additionally, Fred will be remembered by his family and friends at a funeral service on Saturday, July 29th at 11am Est at Historic Trinity Lutheran Church, 1345 Gratiot Ave, Detroit, Michigan.

Frederick Luther Eichberger

October 9, 1942 - July 13, 2023