Charles Frederick Eichbaum

Lt. Colonel Charles F. Eichbaum (or Eiche) passed away on October 6, 2023. He was born to William and Grace Eichbaum in Metuchen, New Jersey on December 25th, 1929. Raised in Milltown, NJ, he attended Milltown Grammar School and graduated from New Brunswick High School in 1947. He then attended Rutgers University and graduated in 1951 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Ceramics. White at Rutgers, he attended AFROTC and received a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the newly formed United States Air Force in July 1951. He completed flying training in December 1952. He went to gunnery school at Nellis AFB in the F86 Sabre Jets. Charles was assigned to various fighter squadrons for the next 10 years and flew the F86, the F100 and the F104 fighter planes. He also flew with the 388th Fighter Bomber wing in France and Germany for 4 years. While stationed at George AFB in California, he met and married LoRee Fulkerson. He also obtained a Master’s Degree from Purdue University in Engineering Administration in the 60s. He retired from the Air Force in 1979 after 28 years of service. Being a man who liked to keep busy, he found a very rewarding job with the Sacramento Community Center Box Office where he made many new friends. After retiring from that job, he volunteered at the Placer County SPCA Thrift Store in Roseville. He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings- Marjorie, William and Barlane with his wife, Beatrice. He is survived by: his son, James Eichbaum with his wife Vickie, and his daughter, Jill Beck; his grandsons, James Eichbaum, Alex Beck, Aaron Beck with his wife Sasha and Austin Beck with his wife Kimberly; his great grandchildren, Jared Eichbaum, Logan Eichbaum, Andrew Beck, Amira Beck and Walker Beck.

Eiche was a lot of fun and enjoyed making people laugh. He was generous, thoughtful and artistic. He lived a good long life making his family and friends happy. He also cherished every one of his Cairn Terriers including Lucky, who passed with him.

He will be interred at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery.