Elwood James Eichler

Woody was born to Martin and Leonie Fuchs Eichler in Fayetteville, Texas on September 13, 1930. His father was the principal of the local school and their home on the square became a designated historical home. The family later moved to Brenham where his dad became associated with Brenham Wholesale Grocery.

He graduated in 1949 from Brenham High School where he played in the band for two years and then as a tackle on the Brenham Cubs Football team.

Woody attended Blinn Jr. College for one year and then transferred to the University of Texas at Austin where he graduated with honors in 1953. Upon graduation, he went to The University of Texas Medical School in Galveston where he was a member of the Phi Chi Medical Fraternity, and the Alpha Omega Alpha honorary Medical Fraternity.

It was in Galveston where he met the love of his life, Sue Noel of Houston who was pursuing a Nursing degree. During his senior year in 1955, Woody and Sue married. They walked across the stage the same night with his Doctor of Medicine degree and her Bachelor of Nursing degree. Shortly after, they loaded their car and headed for Philadelphia for his internship at Graduate Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and lived in Center City Philadelphia.

In July 1957, they headed to the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio for his year of general surgery. A year later, Woody and Sue moved to Memphis, TN for his three-year orthopedic residency at the Campbell Clinic of the University of Tennessee. During this time, their two oldest children were born – Kathy and Martin.

Following completion in 1961, they left for Shepard Air Force base in Wichita Falls, Texas where he served as a Captain in the USAF. He practiced orthopedics in their regional hospital for two years and lived on base around the large B-52’s taking off and landing on constant alert. Woody also served three years with the Texas Army National Guard 386th Engineer Battalion Company B, 49th Armored Division.

In July 1963, Woody accepted an offer to join Drs. Griffin and Fox in their practice of General Orthopedic Surgery in Austin, Texas. During the 1960s, the family grew with the births of sons David and Dan.

The name of the clinic changed to Austin Bone and Joint Clinic, and he became a senior partner with his uncle, Dr. Kermit Fox. Over the years, the clinic grew with the addition of Drs. Don Greenway, Kit Chenault, Bruce Malone, John Pearce, and Stephen Pearce. After practicing for over 40 years and pursuing his passion, he retired in 2003 at the age of 72.

He was always very proud to be associated with the Austin Bone & Joint Clinic and often remarked how grateful he was to be founding partner.

Throughout his 40-year medical career, he remained deeply engaged in a wide range of professional organizations and leadership roles. He served as an active member of the medical staff at St. David’s Hospital and held the position of Chief of Orthopedics at both Brackenridge Hospital and St. David’s. Additionally, he was appointed Chief of Medical Staff at St. David’s Hospital, highlighting his commitment to clinical excellence and administrative leadership. His professional affiliations included fellowship in the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, and memberships in the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine, Western Orthopedics, Clinical Orthopedics, the Travis County Medical Society, the Texas Orthopedic Society, and the American Medical Association.

A special moment in his medical career came in 2014 when a letter arrived from the Chancellor’s Office at the University of Texas. The letter stated that a patient from 40 years ago, had established an Endowed Excellence Scholarship in Woody’s name at the Dell Medical School.

Woody was an active member and supporter of St. Martins Lutheran Church, where he took pride in being an usher. He also enjoyed volunteering at the Settlement Home for Children alongside Sue.

Woody often remarked that he had not taken up golf because he never seemed to have the extra time to spend away from his gardening, one of his other passions. When he and Sue finally built their dream home, he was insistent on having raised garden beds so he could grow his hybrid roses, tomatoes, and other vegetables.

At one point, he had over 50 rose bushes. He loved sharing his fresh cut roses and vegetables with family and friends.

Woody also loved hunting deer and birds in South Texas with his 3 bird dogs and his 3 sons which will always be remembered as very special bonding times.

He and Sue loved making their annual trip for over 20 years to Yes Bay Lodge in Ketchikan, Alaska to fish for salmon. They always seemed to bring back enough salmon and halibut to share with many friends and family.

Blessed with good health, Woody and Sue were able to take trips to Europe, Japan and Australia and a very memorable trip to the Holy Land. While sitting on the grass hills beside the Sea of Galilee, they listened to the “Sermon on the Mount” read by their retired pastor and tour leader.

One of his biggest joys along with Sue was spending time with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Woody was preceded in death by both of his parents and his sister, Lucille Miller.

He is survived by his wife of almost 70 years, Sue (Noel) Eichler; his sister, Jane Turlington of Houston; his children, Kathy Schneider (Terry) of Austin, Martin Eichler of Houston, David Eichler (Shera) of Austin and Daniel Eichler (Shari) of College Station; his grandchildren Christy Gipson (Coby) of Brownwood, Kelli Harkins of Gilmer, Michael Eichler (Maddie) of Canyon Lake, Megan Eichler of Ft Collins, CO, Matthew Eichler of Philadelphia, PA, Emerson Eichler and Hayden Eichler of Austin, Sarah Eichler and Andrew Eichler of College Station.

Woody is also survived by four great grandchildren - Camryn, Connor and Casen Gipson and Justin Harkin as well as three nieces – Marianne Hagen, Sarah Browning and Peggy Grove and two nephews- Stephen Miller and Scott Turlington.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donations to the Elwood “Woody” J. Eichler, M.D. Endowed Excellence Fund at the Dell Medical School ( https://give.utexas.edu/campaigns/59328/donations/new?designation_id=OGPEJEICHLERFUND ) or The Settlement Home for Children, 1600 Payton Gin Road, Austin, TX 78758 ( https://www.settlementhome.org/donate/gift-memorial/ ).