Matthew Robert Eichner
November 2, 1980 - May 7, 2013

"Prayers and deepest sympathy go out to you all. Hold tight to your faith and it will get you through this time of sadness."

"Bob Karen family: My sympathy to your family. Matt is the same age as one of my sons and I knew him best from stories Bob and and I would exchange at work about our boys growing up. Those memories will give you strength. God bless. Dale Kroll"

"Bob, Karen, and Ben, My thoughts, prayers, and love go out to you. When I found out about the tragic news a flood of childhood memories came back. Matt was always the spark and energy to our Center Lake crew. There was never a dull summer day while running around playing X-Men, night games, baseball, or acting out the screenplays Matt would write for us. I just smile remembering those screenplays - Matt was definitely a creative force. Then there was the night he called and asked me to prom - he was so nervous on the phone and I'll never forget when he picked me up in the El Camino. Hands down the best ride at the '98 SLHS prom. Matt touched many people and created many laughs. He will do that with the Big Guy upstairs too. Lots of love to all of you - Stacy"

"Bob, Karen and Ben, We are so sorry to hear the news about your son, Matt. Keep the memories of him close in your heart! Sending big hugs and prayers! "

"Bob and Karen - Our thoughts and prayers and with you and family. "

"My deepest sympathy to you and your family, Karen. You are in my thoughts and prayers."

"I didn't have the privilege of knowing Matt, wish express my deepest sympathy for the family. My daughter went all thru' school with Bob and I knew his parents before they married...We were all close friends. Bob and Becky, my daughter,were born just days apart. May God comfort you now and know that people care. Jerry Nyswonger"

"Words can not express...Karen and Bob, but our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of great sorrow."

"Bob and Karen, Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. "

"Bob and Karen so sorry to read this on Karel face page Gordon and I want to send prayer your way. He now as join his Grandma Rachel. "

"Bob and Karen and family. I am so, so sad to hear of Matthew's passing. Just know that my heart is with yours and I will keep you in my prayers!"

"I remember Matt as being a kind person and good student to have here at SLHS. So sorry to hear about your loss... "

"Bob, Karen and family, We are so saddenned by your loss, you all are in our thoughts and prayers, today, and always."

"I WAS JUST 17 WHEN MATT WAS BORN I WAS SO HAPPY TO BE AN AUNT. I HAVE MORE PICTURES OF HIM THAN MY OWN KIDS. MATTS KINDNESS WAS AMAZING HE COULD ALWAYS MAKE ME SMILE. I LOVE YOU AND I WILL SEE YOU IN HEAVEN. AUNT KAREL "

"I remember the Sunday you were born. You've been a joy and a blessing to our family. You were a survivor against all odds and never complained. I love you! Aunt Kay"

"Karen and family, Just talking about the boys the other day at the nursing home. So sad to hear one of my former student gone. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Peg Rick"

"Bob and Family. I'm so sorry to hear of your tragic loss. Thoughts and prayers to you all!"

"Bob and Karen - we are so sorry to hear of your loss. Our deepest sympathy goes out to all of you. May God protect you with His special grace, peace and comfort at this very difficult time. God bless you all, Nancy and Hugh"

"Bob and family, my heart goes out to you on the loss of your beloved son. I can't imagine your heartache. May God hold you all close in times of sorrow and the years ahead."

"Matt was one of those that could be friends with everyone, and always had a smile on his face. He knew how to make you laugh and had such a great knowledge for so many topics. Definitley a lot of good memories from grade school through high school. Many thoughts and prayers to your family. "

"Middle/High school can be such a tough time for some people. One great thing that I remember about Matt as a classmate is how unconditionally kind he was. It really didn't matter who you were he was always, always so kind. I believe that the world could use more people like that. God bless you and your family Matt. "

"Matt was one of the nicest guys in our class. In a world of cliques and popularity, there were no bounds to who he could be friends with. So sorry for your loss."

"Bob and Karen, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I worked with you at ILO in the early 90's, Bob, and met your family then. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers for your comfort and strength."

"Matt was the one of the best people to talk music, film, politics, (i.e. anything) with and, as many here have said, he was without a doubt the most dedicated, passionate defender of everything he believed in. He was also an amazing and truly loyal friend. Even when we went weeks without so much as a call or a text, we would eventually catch up and it was just like no time had passed at all. It was always a blessing to get to talk with him even if it was just for a few minutes at a time. I will remember our first road trip we ever took together in college - to Chicago to see one of his favorite bands, DEVO. I also remember driving down to visit him in Omaha just so we could talk for hours on end while Elvis Costello videos played in the background and then catch an early showing of Watchmen the following day when it first came out in theaters. Over the last 2-3 years, we mailed each other care-packages of dvds, movies and mix cds. To this day I still go back and read/revisit all of the letters he included as well as the drawings he spent so much time on. The world truly lost a great, unique and caring individual today, but he will never be forgotten by his friends and family. Bob and Karen, I am so sorry for your loss."

"Matt had a great sense of humor and could make anyone laugh at school. He had a bright smile. As others have mentioned, he was a loyal friend, and a bit old fashioned, writing letters, bringing a box of chocolates to a date. I went to the Smashing Pumpkins Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness concert with him and our friends in high school, truly a great concert & memory to share with your friends. I will always think fondly of freshman year, listening to great music with Matt."

"Matty--You will be missed by many. You had eyes that could brighten even the darkest room. Bob, Karen and family--my thoughts and prayers are with you....Hugs "

"Matt is a former student I will always remember. He was interesting to visit with and I will always remember him for his uniqueness. He traveled his own path and stuck to what he believed. May your family memories and those others share with you help you through this difficult time. He has gone too soon."

"Very sorry to hear of Matt's passing. Thinking of your family during this time. "

"Favorite memory was during our middle school years in the summer getting snow cones up by forbes. Center lake crew. My deepest sympathies to your family."

"Matty was a high school friend and later a college roommate of mine. It was thru him that I learned about intricate, stylistic differences between zombie films - a genre of which he was an expert long before The Walking Dead tv show made zombies "cool". Matty didn't care about "cool". He was not concerned with what other people liked. It's likely that the stubborn defiance ever-present in Matt was (at least in part) what led us to be friends in the first place. It is certainly what led to our biggest fight ...which was over a poster. When we were living together Matt hung a poster of some gross image from a horror film in the living room... amidst all the angels and girly crap that I'd decorated the apartment with. It couldn't possibly have been more out of place. I hated it and for weeks I was furious about it. In retrospect, I find it absolutely hilarious.... and classic Matty. He was a good friend. He was fun, interesting, and fiercely loyal to anything that he loved. He was always a little different - and I loved that about him. I'll miss reading his letters. Matty wrote actual letters when the rest of the world was only emailing or using Facebook. I'll miss listening to records with him. Matty bought vinyl records when the rest of the world had switched to mp3's. I'll miss alot about Matty. I already do. "

"I am so sorry for your loss. I worked with Matt a long time ago at McDonalds and he was always able to make us smile. Prayers for your family and loss."

"I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Karen and Bob you are wonderful people and although I didn't know Matt personally, I felt like I got to know him through all your stories while we worked together Karen. Losing a child is one of the hardest things a parent deals with and reach out for love and support to others and please be in contact with Darwin and Jo Winkowitch for bereaved parents support group...much love!"

"I was saddened to read of your son's death. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers."

"We are so sorry for your loss. May God wrap you and your family in his loving arms and help ease your pain. Our prayers are with your family. "

"May God grant you the peace that surpasses all understanding. Our hearts go out to you."

"I JUST HEARD OF YOUR LOSS. MAY GOD PLACE IN YOUR HEARTS A PEACE TO HELP EASE THE PAIN YOU ARE NOW FEELING. DEB LANGNER, STORM LAKE."

"Matt was one of the most opinionated music aficionados that I have ever known which I really admired. We once had an argument over what David Bowie album was his best and he would not back down on his endorsement of Diamond Dogs. Looking back he was right. My deepest sympathies to his family. "

"I always enjoyed spending time with Matt. The two of us had so many things in common that our friendship grew quickly. Matt figures prominently in many of my fond memories of high school and I'll always remember him for his enthusiasm and passion for the esoteric avenues of music, movies and literature. He was a cool nerd before it was cool to be a nerd. "

"Bob and Karen - Our sympathy to all of you in this very difficult time. You are in our prayers."

"Bob, Karen, & family, You have our deepest sympathy and prayers. We treasure the great memories of our "Center Lake Boys" all growing up together. May God bring comfort to your aching hearts."

"Bob & Karen... Our thoughts and prayers to you both and your family. May God wrap his arms around you all and give you peace and comfort during this very difficult time."

"Bob and Karen, my thoughts and prayers are for you.... May God bless and comfort you."

"Bob and Karen, My deepest sympathy to you and your family, you are in my prayers. Katie Weiskircher"

"One of my favorite ice cream customers."