Richard A. “Tony” Eichelberger

Tony Eichelberger, Sewickley, PA, (son of late Tony and Eva [Brown] Eichelberger) was born on April 15, 1940, in Pekin, Illinois, and passed away on January 9, 2024, after a courageous battle with Multiple Systems Atrophy.  Tony, Professor Emeritus, University of Pittsburgh, received his Ph.D. at Southern Illinois University.  He is survived by his wife, Rita Bean; two children, Erin, of Tucson, Arizona, and Derek (Barbara) Eichelberger, Wexford, PA.; and 3 grandchildren (Ethan, Ava, and Dylan).  He has three surviving sisters: Jean (Whitson) McClain and Sally Caracheo (both from Chicago area), and Alosia (Ron) Carlson, Salt Lake City. Tony is also survived by many nieces and nephews.  

Tony had a long and distinguished career at the University, teaching, conducting research,  and writing articles that were published in national journals.  His book, Disciplined Inquiry: Understanding and Doing Educational Research, was based on a course that he taught at the University. He reflected on the notes from his course outline and then wrote the book long-hand from those notes.   One of Tony’s greatest professional strengths was his ability to challenge and encourage his graduate students, providing them with thoughtful feedback about their work.  

As the only son of a “baseball” family, Tony was involved in playing baseball at an early age, following in the footsteps of his father and uncles who all played in local ball clubs.  He was also an outstanding basketball player for the Pekin High School Team (1956-1958), and then went on to accept a baseball scholarship at the University of Illinois.  Tony’s athletic career also included playing minor league baseball for the Giants organization. Given Tony’s love for baseball, he and Rita traveled to Omaha and attended the College World Series for 30+ years.  Tony was an avid golfer, and proud that in his mid-seventies, he was able to shoot his age.   He loved to tell stories about his athletic experiences, including the fact that he batted against Satchel Paige and Juan Marichal. 

What Tony valued most, however, was family, not only his immediate family, but also his Eichelberger relatives. The Eichelberger reunions were always a joy to attend, with time spent reconnecting, and memories shared.  Tony spoke often of what he learned as a child, the love that he experienced, and the values that he was taught.  Those values were exemplified in the way he lived. He was a generous, accepting, and compassionate person, a wonderful father and husband.    The family wishes to thank the doctor and nurses at Good Samaritan Hospice, Wexford, for the loving care that they provided for Tony and for our family. A memorial service is being planned at Heinz Chapel for May, 2024.  

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that those wishing to make contributions in memory of Tony make them to the MSA Coalition (www.multiplesystematrophy.org/donate) or to the Rita Bean & Tony Eichelberger Endowed Fund University of Pittsburgh  (http://giveto.pitt.edu/eichelberger) , whose purpose is to study and promote greater understanding of the factors hindering equitable outcomes for members of underserved communities, and promote equity in education, economic stability, and health. This effort has always been Tony’s desire and commitment.