Submitted by: Dan Rich

Robert W. Eichstedt

Sept. 18, 1918 - Feb. 12, 2008

South Bend Tribune 2/15/2008
SOUTH BEND - Robert W. Eichstedt, 89, passed away on Tuesday, February 12, 2008. He was born on September 18, 1918, in South Bend, to Edward and Frances (Pendle) Eichstedt. As a lifelong resident of South Bend, he married Elizabeth "Bette" Zeichman on June 21, 1941. Along with his wife of 66 years, he is survived by three sons, Robert (Rita) Eichstedt, Mark Eichstedt and Richard Eichstedt, all of South Bend; three grandsons, Jeffrey, Scott and Michael; two granddaughters, Kristin and Michelle; a brother-in-law, Robert Zeichman of Grand Rapids, MI; two sisters-in-law, Irma Eichstadt of South Bend and Lorraine Eichstedt of Naples, FL; five nieces and five nephews. Robert was preceded in death by two brothers, Carl Eichstedt and Donald Eichstadt.

Robert was a World War II veteran serving in the US Navy aboard the USS ABSD-1 as a pharmacist's mate. After serving overseas he was then employed by the Studebaker Corporation and made custom cabinetry. In 1959 he started his own business Eichstedt Cabinet Top Company. After his retirement in 1981 he pursued his hobbies of traveling, fishing, bird watching, and his favorite two - gardening and woodworking.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Saturday in Our Lady of Hungary Church. Burial will be at Highland Cemetery. Family and friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today in the Zahoran Funeral Home, 1826 S. Kemble Avenue, where a Rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m.