William Anthony Eisenhardt Jr.

Bill was born in Lorain, OH, to his parents, Sue and Bill Eisenhardt, in 1942 while his father was serving in the US Army on the front lines of World War II. His dear sister, Judy, was born a few years later. As a boy, he attended St. Anthony Catholic School and then Lorain High School. He first earned a Bachelor of Arts from Western Reserve University, where he was also a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity. He then completed a PhD in photochemistry in the lab of Albert Padwa at the State University of New York at Buffalo.

In 1969, he married Barbara Pepe in Buffalo, NY. The two moved to Chicago where Barbara worked as a fashion illustrator while Bill took a position as a post-doctoral researcher in the lab of NC Yang at The University of Chicago. Their marriage was testament to the remarkable mix of creative and analytical mindsets that the two shared all their lives.

In 1971, the two moved to Westchester, NY, with their newborn daughter, Patricia. Bill enjoyed an exciting launch to his professional career as he joined the cutting-edge Union Carbide Research Institute. Bill next moved into food science with a position in research and development at General Foods. This naturally progressed to work in medical nutritionals at Ross Laboratories (Abbott Laboratories), where he led the development of well-loved products such as Similac, Ensure, and the neonatal lung surfactant, Survanta. Bill was a lifelong member of the American Chemical Society and the Sigma Xi Scientific Research Honor Society.

Bill enjoyed a happy retirement with Barbara. In addition to tinkering with constant home improvement projects and volunteering at St. Peter Roman Catholic Church, the two made frequent trips up to Vermilion, OH, where he loved to jet-ski and cruise farm stands.

Bill was musically gifted. He played the piano from a young age, the trombone in the Lorain High School marching band, and sang in college. He also greatly enjoyed sports such as swimming, biking, and ice skating. He particularly loved to “hot dog” on hockey skates with his brother-in-law, “Skip”. Another of Bill’s favorite pastimes was to work on his cars, especially his 1976 BMW 2002. He taught Patricia to change its oil when she reached the ripe old age of 5 years! Although Bill’s favorite outfits typically involved plaid flannel, he had an impeccable fashion sense that could only come from his Italian roots.

Bill will always be remembered for his engaging smile and goofy sense of humor. His kind, generous and fair approach to life touched so many. His ability to absolutely and wholeheartedly relish the simplest pleasures in life will stay with us all for years to come.

Bill is survived by his wife, Barbara; daughter, Patricia; sister and brother-in-law Judy and Dave Keyes; sisters-in-law Judy Pepe Englert and Carol Martin Pepe; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his brothers-in-law Francis Englert and Arthur “Skip” Pepe.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, January 22, 2024 at 11:00am at St. Joan of Arc, 10700 Liberty Road. The family will receive friends from 10:00am until the start of Mass, and at the luncheon immediately following Mass.

Services will also be held in the spring at Our Lady of Victory Basilica in association with burial at Holy Cross Cemetery in Lackawanna, NY. Date to be determined.

Donations in honor of Bill are most welcome. They may be directed to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for the advancement of Lewy Body Dementia research and to Our Lady of Victory Basilica in Lackawanna, NY.

You can view the livestream at the following link. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7164201333?pwd=MTNsTnJDOStrKy85ckZUakpjTldndz09