Major General (Ret) Gary Leonard Eichhorn

Major General Gary Leonard Eichhorn, United States Air Force Retired, passed away at his home on September 1, 2025; he was 90 years old. Born to Thelma (Hartfelder) and Leonard Eichhorn of Bay City Michigan on Christmas day in 1934, he lived in Stuart for over 45 years.

He is a 1977 graduate of Minnesota State University with a degree in Military Science. Gary enlisted in the Air Force in 1956. He later attended the USAF Aviation Cadet Program and after graduating in 1959, received his pilot wings and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant.

He rose through the ranks in the Air Force, retiring in 1994 after attaining the rank of Major General. Upon retirement, he had over 38 years of continuous active and reserve service and was awarded the USAF Distinguished Service Medal. He was a life member of The Order of Daedalians, Reserve Officers Association, the Air Force Association, the American Legion, and the USAF Air War College Association. His last two assignments were at Wright-Patterson AFB as the Chief of Staff, Air Force Logistics Command, and Special Assistant to the Commander – Air Force Material Command. From 1959 to 1967, during the height of the Cold War, Gary flew B-52 bombers carrying nuclear weapons, and KC-135 aerial refuel tankers in the USAF Strategic Air Command. In 1968 he transferred to the Air Force Reserve flying C-119’s and C-130’s and began flying for Northwest Airlines as an Instructor Pilot in Boeing 707’s. He moved the family to Burnsville, MN where Northwest Airlines was based. He flew Boeing 727’s, 707’s, 747’s and DC-10’s for Northwest until 1977 when he retired and moved to Stuart, FL. Upon arrival in Stuart, Gary and Roma built a house on the water in Mariner Cay where they lived until 1985, when they moved into their current home in Rocky Point. All three of his children graduated from Martin County High School.

In his retirement, Gary pursued his dreams of being on the water, restoring classic cars, collecting beer steins, and flying small experimental aircraft. Upon moving to Stuart, he purchased a 44’ CSY sailboat and cruised the Bahamas and the Caribbean with his family. When all his crew members (children) grew up and left his ship, he transitioned to motor yachts and kept one up in Michigan allowing he and Roma to cruise the Great Lakes extensively during the summer. He continued his love of salt water with several other smaller offshore fishing boats, eventually discovering the ease of in and out storage.

His love for flying never abated, and Gary built and flew three homebuilt aircraft. His first, a BD-5, began in Minnesota. His second was a Sonerai II built in Stuart, and his last was a single seat Sky Raider. Gary’s last flight occurred June 29, 2025 in a T-34A military trainer which is also the first plane he flew while attending USAF flight training in 1956.

He pursued his love of travel with Roma in their class A motorhome, visiting all 50 states including Alaska. He and Roma also cruised European rivers extensively on Viking Cruise Lines. He was fond of using his basic knowledge of the German language to buy beer and bratwursts and loved Bavarian traditions and customs. Gary was an avid collector of beer steins and was an active member of SSI, Sun Steiners International.

Gary is also known for his love of vintage automobiles. He restored a 1948 Packard Custom Club Sedan, which went on to win the best-in-class award at the 2005 Boca Raton Concurs de

elegance. He followed that accomplishment with a fully restored, award winning 1958 Chevrolet Impala. His last car was supercharged, 1995 Buick Riviera which won a AACA Junior in the Preservation Class in 2022.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Roma Joyce (Newton) Eichhorn formerly of Moultrie, GA. He had two sons, CW5 Leonard Eichhorn USA (RET) and wife Annette of Dothan, AL and LTC Lawrence Eichhorn, USAF (RET) and wife Shannon, of Las Vegas, NV. He had one daughter, Lisa Inguanti and husband Paul, of Groton, CT. He had two brothers, Major Adrian Eichhorn, USA (RET) of Frankenmuth, MI (Deceased) and Allen Eichhorn, of Bay City, MI. He also counted five grandchildren, MSG Aaron Eichhorn USA and Wife Maranda of JBLM, WA. SSG Garrett Eichhorn, USMC Reserve and Wife Samantha of Wicksburg, AL. And CW3 Zachary Eichhorn, USA and wife Kaylee of Fire Candle, TX. He had two granddaughters, Kristina Utt, of New London, CT, and Hannah Utt and husband Chris Carver of Manor, TX. He is survived by 7 great grandchildren: Ethan, Kaleb, LoraBeth, Mason, Wyatt and Conner Eichhorn, and Eleanor Sparen.

A visitation for Gary will be held Tuesday, September 16, 2025, from 1PM to 2PM at Aycock Funeral Home Young & Prill Chapel, 6801 SE FEDERAL HWY, STUART, FL 34997. Funeral service: 2PM-3PM and Reception: 3PM-5PM.

A graveside service will be on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, from 10AM to 11AM at South Florida National Cemetery, 6501 FL-7, Wellington, FL 33449.