Passed away peacefully at Seasons Retirement Community, Strathroy, on Friday, January 27, 2023 at the age of 95. Predeceased by his loving wife Doris “Dodie” (Armitage) Eickmeier. Survived by his two sons Ronald and Nancy of Brantford and Robert and Marisa of Hamilton and six grandchildren Daniel, Oliver, Kathryn, Meagan, Caralyn, and William. Predeceased by his parents Henry and Edna (Cole) Eickmeier.
Bruce was born in Zurich 1927. After Exeter High School he graduated in Dentistry from the University of Toronto in 1953. He spent 2 years of private practice in Exeter and 25 years in Hamilton. He then worked for DVA in Sunnybrook Hospital, Toronto and Westminster Hospital, London. After semi-retirement, he worked for the Cerum Dental Co. in Calgary and travelled coast to coast in Canada for seven years. He retired in 2000. Dr. Bruce and his family spent 45 years on a lakefront summer home on Hwy 21 near St. Joseph. In August 2015 he moved from London to Seasons Retirement Community, Strathroy.
The family would like to extend a sincere thanks to Steve Pelkman and the staff at Seasons Retirement Community for the kindness and support they showed Dr. Bruce in his final years.
In keeping with Bruce’s wishes cremation has taken place. The funeral service will be held at Haskett Funeral Home, 49 Goshen Steet North, ZURICH on Friday, February 3, 2023 at 1 PM with Pastor Nadine Schroeder-Kranz officiating. A private family interment will be held at St. Peter’s Lutheran Cemetery, Zurich in the spring.
Donations to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Zurich or CNIB Foundation would be appreciated by the family.
We are always willing to go where called upon but this image shows a visual of the communities that our included in our initial transportation fee. We offer a 40km radius from any of our 5 locations (Arva (London), Exeter, Lucan, Seaforth, and Zurich). Any mileage beyond the included 40km will be charged a rate of $2.50/km (one way travel only).
Hugh McLean
I am late with my condolences for my friend Bruce Eickmeirer.
I have ben trying to phone him as usual in the early evenings.The phone rings but no answwer . I called Seasons tonight and got the sad news. Bruce and I were friends for a long time when we both lived in Bekshire village in London. I moved to Seasons and got Bruce to follow shortly thereafter. He often said how glad he was to have moved to Seasons in Strathroy. We phoned each othe quite often we were both way up in years. Like losing a brothe..
Condolences to everyone who had Bruce in your liives.
Hughie McLean
Dwight Eickmeier
Ron & Nancy,
Robert & Marisa.
It is with great sadness that I learned of Cousin Bruce’s passing. The best way to describe Bruce was that of a gentleman and a scholar.
Always a professional, and the consummate family man. Never a negative word emanated from his lips. As I grew up, I knew Cousin Bruce and Dodie and their family mainly from family reunions and gatherings, and this grew to support from Bruce and Dodie during my time in dental school, then during the beginnings of the launch of my career. Always ready to help in any way possible and supportive to me, my brother and our family as he was to his community in general.
I was lucky to be able to visit Bruce 3X while he resided at Season’s retirement home and chat about time at U of T and hear fun stories about ‘the good old days’. Bruce wrote many letters outlining his time in dental school and how Dodie contributed to costumes for the Dentantics play that Bruce starred in! A dynamic duo to be sure! Bruce talked about all the exciting cars he loved throughout the years and how he treasured his family. Bruce missed every day without his treasured Dodie. I hope they are now reunited and at peace.
The world is a little bit worse without this wonderful man.
Dwight Eickmeier
Jennifer Carter
Robert, Ron and families,
Your dad and mom were great life-long friends of my parents, Doug and Pat Cook. They knew how to get together and enjoy life wherever they were. Bruce and my dad shared an enthusiasm for cars and would often go over each other’s new vehicle together. On one such occasion we thought they had gone for a walk only to have both of them climb out from the trunk of a new vehicle after inspecting a new feature. Your dad and mom were well-respected treasures. I am grateful to have grown up knowing them.
Valerie Piekarski (Cox)
So sorry to learn of Bruce’s passing. He was always ‘Uncle’ Bruce to me. He and Aunt Dodie were very close friends of my parents, Doug & Joan Cox. I really enjoyed our weekends spent at their cottage every August. Such great memories! Uncle Bruce was kind enough to make the ‘toast to the bride’ at my wedding. He was a wonderful man and I will remember him fondly.
Janis Murray
My sincere sympathies . Bruce was a wonderful man. I very much enjoyed his reminiscences in his many letters to Mom, his cousin and dear friend. He will be missed.
Janis McGill Murray
Nora McGill
To The Eickmeier Family
We were so sad to hear of your Dads passing….he was always such a kind and full of life person. Bruce and Dodie spent a lot of time with our parents Keith and Ruth McGill and enjoyed visits up at their cottage in the summer and of course a meal out at Hessenland for some good German food. Bruce always had a good sense of humor and always enjoyed a joke or two with everyone. Your Dad was a well respected gentleman and very proud of his family. Treasure all your memories as we will remember him in ours………with our deepest sympathy, Bob and Nora McGill and family
Karen Wilkie
Dear Family,
Our deepest condolences on the passing of Dr Bruce…
We remember our visits to his office in Hamilton and the long time friendship our Dad (Grant Wilkie) shared with him.
Pamela Wilkie and Karen Wilkie
Judy
Eickmeier family
So sorry to hear of your fathers passing. I worked several years as Bruce’s dental assistant. I have many fond memories of your father. He was so proud of his two sons. Such a nice man
Judy MacKinnon
Larry Elder
The Eickmeier Family
Heartfelt condolences and caring thoughts to all upon learning of Dr. Bruce’s passing. He and Dodie were very dear to the hearts of my parents, Ken & Kay Elder as well. They were an integral part of a very close and fun loving social group, that seemed to have the sole purpose of showing the world how to navigate life and have fun through the mutual sharing of music, travel, laughter, tears and respect for each other and the world at large. God blessed us with their examples of grace and wisdom.
One can only smile through the tears of memory of them all… thinking hoping praying, that somehow, they are all still at it!
Sincerely, In Sympathy, Larry & Evelyn Elder
Richard Turkheim
Ron, Robert & families
I was saddened to learn this morning of your Father’s passing. Please accept my condolences on your loss.
As our home was just across the street from your grandparents’ house in Zurich, there was a lot of visiting back and forth with your grandpa & grandma and Bruce, back in the day.
Like my parents (Jack & Lenora), I, too, held your Dad in high regard. And we all so enjoyed whenever your Dad and Dodie would stop in for a visit, or there would be a social get together.
May you find strength and support in all the positive memories of your Dad that are being shared at this time.
Richard Turkheim
St. Marys
Kathy Girard
Ron and Nancy, Robert and Marisa and families,
I was so sad to hear about Bruce’s passing. He was a lifelong, faithful friend of my dad, Doug Cook, and a good friend to all of us in our family. He continued to visit my dad even when Dad was very ill with dementia. Just weeks before Dad’s death, when I wasn’t sure he knew who I was, Bruce came to our door. Dad heard his voice, and his face lit up. “Bruce!” he exclaimed. That voice he’d known since he was a teen gave him such joy.
I know of many instances of Bruce’s kindness to others. He was interested in other people, saw their struggles, and responded in helpful ways.
Bruce and I kept in touch, especially during his years at Seasons. I wasn’t always as regular in my correspondence as he was, but I have a deep stack of letters from him. He was so proud of his family; his love for all of you shone through.
I will miss him more than I knew–his abiding kindness and open heart, his light-hearted and steady approach to life–he was the best of friends.
I’m thinking of all of you in this time of grief. I’m confident you have a stack of memories too, and you know how much he loved you.
Fondly, and with deepest sympathy,
Kathy Cook Girard
Bonnie Butson
To The Family
So sorry to hear about your loss, my parents are also gone. Our parents Dr. & Mrs. Frank Butson were good friends. My Dad also started out in Exeter and then we moved to London.Your parents would come to London for weekends. One Sunday am after breakfast my Dad said he was going to take me to the office and pierce my ears, which I had been waiting to have done. The talk around the table was do I want my ears done by a doctor and a dentist after a night out at the country club. Both of our Dad’s were looking at my ears to make sure everything would be even. All worked out. When your parents moved to London they would take my Mom out for lunch. Your parents were wonderful people. Take care and stay strong. Bonnie
Dan & Julie Turkheim
Ron, Robert and families.
Please accept our condolences on the loss of your father. He was a good friend of our family for as far back as I can remember. Although we lost touch over the past several years I always enjoyed chatting with him when he would drop by for a visit. Cherish your memories.
Dan & Julie Turkheim
Jo-Ann Boswell
To the Eickmeier Family:
Our deepest sympathy to you all. Bruce was such a beloved friend of our Dad, Keith Thiel since childhood. Our devout great grandmother Phoebe (Debus) Weber was Bruce’s godmother. Bruce has been such a kind, loving gift to me since Dad passed away sending frequent correspondence with the latest Zurich news and jokes as well as phone calls. Rest in peace dear friend. Your lovely kind spirit will not be forgotten. You touched so many lives.
Sincerely,
Jo-Ann Thiel Boswell (& Carolyn Stark & Randy Thiel)
Marie Eickmeier
Ron & Nancy,
Robert & Marisa.
Bruce was fondly known as cousin Bruce. Always such a kind loving man. My husband Roger passed last September and when I told Bruce we cried together. Bruce was the one who showered everyone with a plethora of compliments. I will miss him dearly.
They were both dental professionals and shared many hours in deep discussions.
In 1968 we were invited to their home in Hamilton and stayed with Bruce and Dodie while Roger stepped in for Bruce at his dental office for a week. Bruce had surgery and needed assistance. True to form they treated us like royalty.
Bruce was guest speaker at our wedding and the jokes were flowing. He demonstrated the Eickmeier sense of humour that we all loved.
Visiting his cottage was always a delight.
His most recent letter last week made clear that he was old school and loved getting a letter in the mail.
I have to agree with him.
Bruce spent his summers at the Eickmeier homestead in Brodhagen as did Roger. Always time to reminisce.
The world needs more people like Bruce… he was the best.
Love to his family
Rest In peace Bruce
Marie Eickmeier
Steve & Deb Overholt
To all the Eickmeier Family
Please accept our condolences on the passing of your dad, grandpa..friend to many. We bought your Grandma house in Zurich 43 years ago and we are still there. Bruce was very kind to us…always coming by to see how things were going and any new renovations. Always praising all we did with his mom house. We enjoyed his visits and letters to us.
Rest In Peace Bruce..you will be missed.
Steve & Deb Overholt
Jill & Ralph Geiger
To Dr Bruce’s family,
Dr Bruce & Dodie were dear friends of my parents: Helyn & Jack Drysdale. They had wonderful times together; especially at jazz festivals & at each others homes.
In recent years, he continued to connect with Mom by way of a phone call, or a hand written note.
Be reassured that many others viewed his life as precious, & his death a great loss.
Our hearts are with you at this time of sorrow.
Sincerely,
The Drysdale family: Helyn, Jill & Ralph, Mary & Gerard.
Kenda Family
To all of Bruce’s Family,
We are saddened to hear of the passing of your dear father. Your Dad was a great friend of my parents, Joe and Maria Kenda many years ago. We would often received letters with newspaper clippings and pictures. Would always enjoy these. Know that our prayers and thoughts are with you all during this difficult time.
Henry Van Vliet
Got to know Bruce at the lake. Our son owned the cottage next to him. Also visited him at Seasons in Strathroy. He was faithful in sending cards and letters. A very sincere person. Our condolences to the family.
Alta and Henry Van Vliet
Kim Bowman
To Robert , Ronald and families
I first met Bruce at Seasons in Strathroy . We often would have great conversations on every topic in the news and community. This is when he shared with me , he had been in university with my father-in-law. He shared several photos and memories of those years. Great history!
Bruce was always an early riser in the morning, and loved to surprise me and see how loud I would shout when he would startle me in the wee hours of the morning. Obviously, we shared some great laughs.
God Bless my friend.
Erryn Shephard
Great memories of Dr.Bruce and Dodie at their summer cottage. Enjoyed his letters.
Hope there is a Jazz band in Heaven, for his entertainment!
Sincere sympathies.
Barbara and Douglas Shephard. .
DonnaO'Brien
I have many good memories of being with Bruce ad Dodie,such good people! Bruce was a true Zurichite and was so good to keep in touch with his letters! He was very proud of his boys and his grand children! Rest in peace,dear Bruce !!
Carol and Ron Cox
We are so very sorry to hear of Bruce’s passing.
We will remember him fondly. He and Dodie were kind enough to let us use their cottage for our honeymoon in 1969. Also included was dinner at the Zurich Hotel.
We have kept in touch over the years – he was always such a great letter writer – we enjoyed little anecdotes he would send as well as pictures of family, of which he was so proud.
He will be missed.
DonnaO'Brien
Bruce and Dodie were good friends and Bruce kept up his friendship with letters and news clippings.He was so proud o f his family and told me so! He was a good Zurichite !! Rest in peace dear Bruce !!
Marge Schilbe
So sorry of the hearing of your dads passing, lots of memories of the cottage , we kept in touch by writing letters. Received the last one, just a month ago, always with pictures and telling me about your family’s. Rest in Pease Bruce.
Lori C
Deepest condolences to Bruce’s family. I had the pleasure of getting to know Bruce while he was at Seasons. He was a great friend to my Mom while she was there and continued to stay in touch after she moved. I will raise a forkful of Dutch apple pie from Radars in your honour, Bruce. Rest easy.
Chuck & Tanya Erb
To Robert, Ronald & families
We were saddened to receive your phone call regarding your Dad’s passing, even though he was ready to move on to his new Heavenly Home. We always enjoyed our visits with him. He was so knowledgeable & Interesting to chat with. He was so exited to give us the first tour around the Seasons. Unfortunately the last couple years, we could only chat by phone, but also enjoyed his many letters, that contained jokes, as well as pictures of cars with a complete description of each one. A Wonderful Friend.
Keeping you all in our Thoughts and Prayers
Alma
Eickmeier Family; – Our sympathy in the passing of Bruce.
We remember pleasant meetings and events both in Zurich and at his cottage. He always had special memories to share about his former home community.
Robert and Alma Westlake
Dolores Manzino
I was very saddened to hear that this wonderful man had passed away. I’m a friend of Dan’s, and although I never knew Mr. Eickmeier personally, Dan would always tell me of their phone calls and speak of him fondly. My heart is with you during this very difficullt time.