Raymond E. Eichel

Raymond E. Eichel, a well regarded pioneer of conservation, water management, and the former General Manager and Secretary-Treasurer of the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District, passed away late Wednesday evening, March 10, 2010, at the age of 89. Born at Tuscarawas, November 2, 1920, he was a son of the late Ivan and Grace Briggs Eichel. A 1938 graduate of Tuscarawas-Warwick High School, Raymond worked for two local companies and with the United States Navy as an inspector that checked and tested all materials purchased by the navy throughout Ohio. Mr Eichel spent nearly half of his life, forty-three years, affiliated with the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District, including twenty-four years as the Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager. In addition, he was appointed master commissioner by the Conservancy Court, serving 29 years in that capacity. His memberships are numerous, and include the a twenty-five year membership with the Ohio Conservancy District Organization, during which time, he served three terms as chairman. Raymond was a 20 year member of the Ohio Parks and Recreation Advisory Council, serving as chair of the organization for three terms. By appointment of the Governor, Raymond was a member of the Ohio Resources and Recreation Commission, was a member and former trustee of the Water Management Association of Ohio, was a member of the National Recreation and Park Association , the Ohio River Basin Commission, the Ohio Mid-Eastern Government Association, the National Watershed Congress, the Malabar Advisory Council and the Muskingum River Basin Advisory Group.Locally, he served as a director of the Ohio Savings & Trust Bank, its successor bank, Banc Ohio National Bank, and was a former member of the New Philadelphia Lions Club. His contributions are recognized statewide including induction into the “Honorary 100” â?? a distinguished alumni group of the School of Natural Resources at The Ohio State University. In 1990, he was inducted into the Ohio Conservation Hall of Fame, and later the same year was inducted into the Ohio Water Management Hall of Fame. Raymond leaves behind a family that includes one son, Ronald R. (Beverly) Eichel of Monroe, North Carolina; one daughter, Barbara (Dean) Fuerst of Gibsonia, Pennsylvania; two grandchildren, Dean Howard (Danelle) Fuerst of Saxonberg, Pennsylvania, and Judith Fuerst of Gibsonia, Pennsylvania; one step-granddaughter, Kris (Arch) Allison; two great-grandsons; Alex and Zachary Fuerst; and two step great-grandchildren Jakob and Jessika Allison both of Fargo, North DakotaHe is now reunited with his wife, the former Donna Huston. The couple observed sixty-three years together prior to her death, five years ago this week; March 13, 2005. A brother and three sisters are also deceased. Friends are invited to call Monday, March 15, from 2-4 and from 6-8 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. The Reverends Mark and Carolyn Behrendt will lead the Eichel funeral service Tuesday at 1:30 PM in the funeral home’s chapel. Burial will follow alongside his wife, in Evergreen Burial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the New Philadelphia Fire Department at 108 Second Street SE or the New Philadelphia Police Department 122 2nd Street SE New Philadelphia, OH 44663Linn-Hert-Geib(330)343-5506www.geibcares.com