He was born Sept. 3, 1915, to William and Alvina (Koepp) Eichstaedt in Sault Ste. Marie. On Nov. 21, 1940, in Hancock, he married the former A. Ruth Feldscher who preceded him in death in 2003.

A graduate of Michigan Technical College, he retired from BridgeportÊ Brass in 1978 as chief design engineer.

The Eichstaedt''s moved permanently to their Bellaire Torch Lake home in 1978 from Trumbull, Conn. They returned to Connecticut, for the winter months beginning in 1996. He was a past member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Kalkaska.

Alvin was preceded in death by his parents, wife Ruth, and a brother, Herbert.

Surviving are four daughters, Judith E. (David) Norton of Southington, Beth E. (Michael) Stone of New York, NY, Paula E. (Clifford) Ongley of Plantsville, Conn. and Kristin E. (William) Scarlata of Canterbury, Conn; a brother, Paul (Elizabeth) of Sault Ste. Marie; nine grandchildren; three great grandsons; three great grand- daughters; three nephews and four nieces.

Graveside services are planned for the spring in Lakeview Cemetery in Bellaire. Arrangements by the Bellaire Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.