Leslie Eichelberg

All who knew Leslie Eichelberg would agree that she was truly one of a kind as she was vibrant, lively, and on fire for life. Although she had no filter when it came to the things she said at times, she didn’t have a mean bone in her body and always treated everyone with kindness. With the love of her life by her side for more than 50 years, Leslie traveled the world over, yet she was always happiest when her family was near. As a lifelong resident of Kalamazoo, she gave so much to the community she called home and in so doing, enriched the lives of those too numerous to count. A true gift to others, Leslie will be deeply missed and warmly remembered.

As the thirties dawned, America was braced for times of great hardship as the harsh reality of the Great Depression set in. A gallon of gas cost only thirty cents and a new car cost just over six hundred dollars, yet the numbers of Americans who could afford such a luxury were few as there were so many who found themselves without work. As the calendar turned to this new decade Leslie and Eloise (Rickman) Vermeulen were eagerly anticipating the birth of their first child. It was on May 27th of that year that they welcomed their daughter, Leslie, into their hearts in their hometown of Kalamazoo, Michigan. In order to support their family, Leslie’s parents owned and operated Vermeulen’s Furniture Store. When she was three years old she was joined in her family by her younger brother, John.

In many ways Leslie experienced a childhood that was not unlike many other young people of her day. As a young girl she raced sailboats at Gull Lake and went to Camp Newaygo, which became a family tradition. She attended local schools in Kalamazoo where she excelled in science. Leslie went on to graduate from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1948. She spent her freshman year of college at Michigan State University but when she spent too much of her time partying, she transferred to Pine Manor College in Massachusetts the following year.

Not to be forgotten during this time was her reintroduction to the young man with whom she would share the best years of her life. His name was Frank Eichelberg and they had actually been classmates in junior high and high school, beginning in the seventh grade. They connected again just before their one year class reunion. Their eyes connected from across the room at the Kalamazoo Country Club and as the story goes, the rest is history. They ended up going to their reunion together and have been together ever since. Leslie went on to graduate from Kalamazoo College with a degree in biology in 1952.

With a desire to build a life together, Leslie and Frank were married on September 1, 1953, in a garden ceremony at her parents’ home. The newlyweds took the following five days to drive to New York, making a stop at Niagara Falls along the way. From there they flew to Bermuda where they spent the following week enjoying the warm sunshine.

The couple settled in Kalamazoo and started their family right away. They were blessed with three children who were the light of Leslie’s life: Peter, Bill, and Jane. Leslie worked some, but mainly focused on being a wife and mother. Life was rarely boring in the Eichelberg family as they took in so much of what life has to offer. There were vacations at Gull Lake, ski trips to the Jolly Lodge, and trips to Florida, too. Fun-filled memories were made when they took their RV out to California as well.

Never one to be still, Leslie immersed herself in so many things. Much of her time was spent volunteering in her community for organizations such as the Weavers Guild, the Service Club, now known as the Junior League, the John Dunning Guild, the Kalamazoo Art League, and the First Presbyterian Church Health Clinic. Leslie not only gave of her time to many of these organizations, but she also took on the added responsibility of serving as president more times than not. She was currently a member of South Ridge Reformed Church. Leslie was always very artistic as she made jewelry and wove baskets. She also dabbled in photography with her own dark room, and also did macramé as well, entering them in and winning awards at county fairs.

Later in life Leslie and Frank traveled the globe to destinations such as England, China, India, Mexico, Monaco, and Australia just to name a few. They also traveled extensively throughout the United States in their RV, visiting their daughter, Jane in Florida and Montana; and visiting their friends throughout the country as well. Summer months almost always found them camping in South Haven.

The list of things that made Leslie such a remarkable woman is extensive. She had an insatiable thirst for knowledge and was always looking for ways to broaden her horizons. Leslie was a strong and resilient woman who never shied away from standing up for herself or the things she believed in. She was a free spirit and a pioneer of sorts as she certainly carved her own path in this world. Leslie was adventurous, spontaneous, and always up for a good time. Her fashion sense reflected her personality perfectly as she preferred brighter colors and often sported her favorite color – fuchsia. Leslie treasured the companionship of their two cats, Rocky and Dottie, and she continually supported her husband in his various endeavors. It isn’t surprising that she beat breast cancer at one time and even as she suffered with fibrosis and arthritis throughout the last two years of her life, she never complained.

Life will never be the same without Leslie Eichelberg here as she was as vibrant and colorful as the most captivating sunset. She was resilient and took everything in stride - the eternal optimist to be sure. “Nuts-o”, “cool”, and “you’re kidding Fraaank” were some of her favorite phrases and examples of her dynamic yet calm personality. A devoted wife and mother, community activist, and fun loving friend, Leslie was an extraordinarily enchanting woman who squeezed every last drop out of the life she was given.

Leslie Eichelberg died on July 21, 2011. Leslie’s family includes her husband, Frank A. Eichelberg; 3 children: Peter N. Eichelberg, William J. (Mary Swanson) Eichelberg and Jane E. (R. Jack) Clapp; 3 grandchildren: T.J and Joe Eichelberg and Grant A. Clapp; brother, John D. (Kay) Vermeulen; and her 2 cats: Rocky and Dottie. Learn more about Leslie and share in some refreshments with her family and friends on Sunday from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler – Kalamazoo; 6080 Stadium Dr, 375-2900. Private services will take place. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a memory or photo or sign her memory book. Memorial donations may be directed to Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation or Kalamazoo Institute of Arts.