John Carl Eichenauer III

John (“Johnny”) Carl Eichenauer III, age 99, passed away peacefully on March 17, 2021 at his residence in Phoenix, Arizona, surrounded by family. He was born on October 20, 1921 to the late John Carl II and Clarice Cassandra (Housman) Eichenauer in Yuma, Arizona. John knew how to play the piano as did his beloved mother and siblings: Marshall, Joan, Jean, and Kenny. He attended Phoenix Union High School, where he learned woodworking and Spanish. At Arizona State University, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in business. John perfected his Spanish language education at Garcia Flamenco school, San Salvador, El Salvador, while on his way to his outstanding life of teaching, growing and uniting Baha'i communities across the world.

At the age of 17 John chose to uproot himself from his life in Phoenix and travel to a new country as a pioneer for the Baha'i Faith. Because of his young age, it took two years for him to get permission from his Local Spiritual Assembly and Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Faith, to do this, so at age 19 he set off for El Salvador in Central America. Thus began a lifetime of sacrificial service and devotion to furthering the Faith's vision of peace and unity among all people, all religions, and all countries. In the next several years, John lived, worked, and taught the Faith in El Salvador, Mexico City, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. John's extraordinary life of sustained effort to promote his Faith and its principles is rare and inspiring. John, while on pilgrimage in 1955, was in the presence of Shoghi Effendi who John described as "a world spiritual commander".

In 1942 John returned to the U.S., and was ordered into the armed forces and by 1943 was assigned medical detail. John's division set up base near Stuttgart, Germany. John let Shoghi Effendi know that he had contacted the Bahai's in Germany. During this time John met and married Gisela Walker and had one son, Eric Quoddus, but later, the couple went their separate ways.

John worked for Eichenauer Nutrition Center, a pioneering health food company, started by his parents in 1938. After a few years, John went on to open his own store, Eichenauer Juice Bar and Nutrition Builders. John served his customers fresh fruit and vegetable juices, handmade soups and sandwiches, along with vitamins and health products. During this time, John met and married Theodora “Teddy” Miller and had three children: son Vahid Thane Lee, and daughters Shawn Layli Aurora and Lisa Marinda. John and Teddy's marriage ended in 1975, yet they remained lifelong friends. John's dedication to nutrition and an active lifestyle kept him healthy for more than 99 years!

In 1989 John was invited by the National Spiritual Assembly of El Salvador to attend the 50th anniversary of his arrival. Later in 1992 while traveling with Lawrence Patton to Belize and Mexico City, he met his future wife Teresa McGregor from Merida, Yucatan. They married in 1992. Teresa was an Auxiliary Board member in Mexico and devout Baha'i. Sometime after their trip to the 100th anniversary of the Baha'i Congress in New York, Teresa tragically succumbed to cancer in 1993.

John's next international invitation came in 2005 when Bahai's were celebrating 100 years of the Baha'i faith being established in Germany and Austria. John was interviewed before 2000 people at Messen Hall in Stuttgart, Germany.

At the request of the Local Spiritual Assembly, John spent 17 years as a volunteer chaplain at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, leading Baha'i prayer service and helping countless travelers.

Other cool skills John enjoyed: ballroom dancing, horseback riding, playing the accordion, telling jokes, asking questions and listening, airplane pilot, bicycle riding. He hand made several pieces of wood furniture. He spoke Spanish fluently and had a intense interest in world events and politics. John was always friendly and outgoing.

In his final days, John's would often speak Spanish with his care givers who described him as a gentleman, curious, polite and kind. A joy to be around! We agree. His welcoming smile and friendly greetings will be greatly missed.

John is survived by his loving sisters Joan and Jean, his beloved niece Cherie and his children and grandchildren.

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Donations in John's name may be made to: Salvation Army: www.give.salvationarmyusa.org

Baha'is can make a donation in John's memory to the National Spiritual Assembly

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Zoom Memorial service hosted by daughter and Baha'i Faith of Phoenix

Sunday, April 11, 2021, 5:00 pm Mountain Standard Time (MST)

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