Jacob Harrison Eicher

Jacob Harrison Eicher, known to some as Jack and to others as Jake, died quietly on

February 11, 2026, at the age of 84 at home in Ligonier, Pennsylvania.

One of 12 children, Jacob remained close to his family throughout his life. He began

working at age 5, when he was tasked with leading cows home every evening.  At 19,

he joined the US Navy and sailed the Pacific. As a young sailor he was quite

entrepreneurial: salvaging copper from ship upgrades to sell in port; lending money to

sailors who gambled when they came into port; etc.

During his service, a friend introduced him to Ramona Robinson of Auburn, California.

He was soon a guest at the Robinsons whenever on leave. The two married in Auburn

in 1964. Ramona completed her degree at San Jose State University, and Jacob earned

his Associate’s Degree. Jacob and Ramona loved both California and Pennsylvania

and moved between them often. Sharon was born while Ramona finished her degree.

Jacob cared for the baby. Their son Michael was born in Stockton. CA, Matthew in

Latrobe, PA, and Daniel in Rocklin, CA. Eventually, they settled in Duncannon,

Pennsylvania.

Jacob pursued his dream of opening his own business - an appliance store, which

closed after a theft and significant financial loss. He returned to a career in retail sales

and was recognized for his honest dealing with customers.

Jacob was a prolific gardener, known for sharing squash, beans, tomatoes with anyone

willing to take some home. He was also a dedicated gamesman, creating shelters for

and feeding rabbits and deer while still relying on the woods and lakes for his own

protein.

His wife Ramona’s death came early. Though shattered by this loss, Jacob shouldered

the responsibility of raising their two younger sons. When his children left home, he

promptly retired and returned to Ligonier to be near his siblings. For the last decades of

his life, he lived across the road from his sister Peggy, a closeness that brought him

comfort and companionship. The home he lived in was a house he helped to build for

his parents, in between High School and the Navy.

Jacob was preceded in death by parents Carl and Daisy (née Lenhart) Eicher; wife

Ramona (née Robinson); and siblings William, Ralph, Carl, Dorothy, Stella, Laura, and

Glenn. Jacob is survived by four siblings—Edna, Ray, Audrey, and Peggy; four

children—Sharon, Michael, Matthew, and Daniel; and six grandchildren—Emma, Molly,

Harrison, Olivia, Hayden, and Freyr. He took great pride in leaving college funds for

each of his grandchildren, a final gesture of his concern for their future wellbeing.

Jacob was, in many ways, a lone wolf—independent, idiosyncratic, and unfailingly

direct. Yet he loved his family and had many admirable qualities. His greatest concern

was always that his children would be provided for when he was gone. He never

hesitated to say, “I love you,” and despite his quirks and rough edges, he was deeply

loved in return.

A memorial service will be on Saturday March 21, 2026 at 11:00 am at the Cook Township Community Center, 1716 State Route 711, Stahlstown PA 15687

A Visitation will be held on Sunday March 22, 2026 from 1 pm to 2 pm at Christ Lutheran Church 48 West High Street, New Bloomfield, Pa 17068 where a memorial service will be held at 2 pm.