Glenn Wallace Eicher

Glenn Wallace Eicher, 91, was born in Ligonier, PA, on January 31, 1934, and passed away on July 12, 2025. 

One of twelve children born to Daisy and Carl Eicher, he was raised in the family farm log cabin with no electricity or running water. 

Growing up he worked with his father at the lumber mill, and at the local Westland Dairy co-op. He also worked for the neighboring farmer, doing odd jobs and farm chores. He fondly remembered his old beagle who followed him around and waited eagerly for him when he came home. Glenn graduated from Ligonier High School and soon joined the US Navy, leaving Ligonier for Baltimore and then Oklahoma. Initially trained as an airborne radio operator, he served on the USS Yorktown as an aircraft handler, entrusted with moving aircraft around the ship and flight deck. One notable, and very memorable, experience for Glenn in the Navy came in 1952 when he flew to Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshall Islands to witness the testing of one of the earliest thermonuclear “H-bombs”. 

He was eventually transferred to Moffet Field in Mountain View, California where he soon met and married the love of his life, Carol Lorenz, in 1957.  Glenn graduated from San Jose City College then worked at Stanford Research Institute (SRI) in the early 1960s. He also worked with Minuteman Rocket Propellant.  Glenn and Carol were married for 67 years.They had three beloved daughters, Debbie, Dale, and Susan, starting their family in Palo Alto, eventually moving south to Los Gatos, Scotts Valley and ultimately landing in beautiful Santa Cruz where they were to remain. 

Glenn spent five years as a CHP officer prior to a career-ending injury on the job in the late 1960’s. As a second career Glenn chose Dental Hygiene. He was one of three men who graduated from Cabrillo College’s program in the 1970s. He had discovered what was to be a long and fulfilling career that brought him great joy, and in which he worked until his reluctant retirement at the age of 82.  He loved his patients and had wonderful relationships with the dentists he worked for. 

He loved people. Known for his ability to strike up a conversation with just about anyone, he was fond of telling (and often retelling) stories.  He was kind and helpful towards those in need.  He loved gardening and especially tending to his fruit trees, whose prolific harvests were shared with family, friends and neighbors alike. 

His workshop was full (very full) of tools and gadgets accumulated over the years.  Glenn could be counted on to have the right tool for just about any job, wielding them with great skill!  Always willing to lend a hand, Glenn was abundantly generous with his time (and tools) as he helped family and neighbors with countless tasks and projects over the years. 

His family looked most forward to his mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving Day, as he made them better than anyone else (it is now understood that his secret was copious amounts of saturated fat from butter and half-and-half).   

He loved listening to music of all kinds, even his daughter’s cacophonous screeching as she learned to play violin in grammar school.  He especially enjoyed hearing Carol play the piano in his later years. 

He deeply loved his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild, but most of all he loved his Lord, in whose presence he now abides. 

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Carol, and 3 daughters, Debbie of Atlanta, Dale of Portland, Maine and Susan of Aptos, five grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, and also by his siblings Peggy, Jake and Ray of the Ligonier area, Edna of Sarasota and Audrey of Idaho Falls. 

Services will be held on Saturday, August 30 at 10:30 am at Santa Cruz Community Church at 411 Roxas St in Santa Cruz.