Robert R. Eichorn, 72
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Robert Richard Eichorn, 72, of 22 Classic Ave. died Monday, Jan. 3, 2011, at North Adams Regional Hospital after being stricken earlier at home.
Mr. Eichorn was an outstanding athlete and was named as No. 15 of the Top 50 Athletes in the history of Berkshire County by The Berkshire Eagle.
Born in Adams on Oct. 7, 1938, son of Robert F. and Ella Kosche Eichorn, he attended Adams schools and graduated with the class of 1956 from the former Adams High School, where he was named All-Berkshire and All-Western Mass in three sports. He continued his athletic career at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where he played football, basketball and baseball until his graduation in 1960. After college, he was signed by the New York Yankees and played minor league baseball on their farm team.
A Navy veteran, he later served in the Naval Reserves, retiring as a commander.
Mr. Eichorn was employed by James Hunter Machine Co. and its successor, Morrison-Berkshire Inc., retiring as as vice president of international sales and marketing.
He was devoted to his family and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and his cats Fred and Bella.
The first love of his life, the former Marie Patricia Canale, whom he married June 8, 1963, died on Jan. 9, 1991.
He leaves his companion Marie Evans, with whom he shared his live and loved dearly; two daughters, Kim Champagne and her husband, Peter, of Brookfield, Conn., and Bonnie Eichorn-Lee and her husband, Jeff Lee, of Pittsfield; Ms. Evans' daughter, Michelle Rosier and her husband, James, of Dalton; four grandchildren, Devon and Cody Champagne, Matthew Eichorn and Jordan Rosier, and nieces and nephews.
His sister, Susan Eichorn, is deceased.
FUNERAL NOTICE — The funeral for Mr. Eichorn will be Friday Jan. 7, at 10 from Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams. Burial will be in the spring in Southview Cemetery.
Calling hours will be Thursday, Jan. 6, from 4 to 7 at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Robert Eichorn Memorial Scholarship in care of the funeral home.