Jon Eich’s four years as a Centre County commissioner only scratch the surface of a life dedicated to public service.
From his decades as a county planner and administrator to his volunteer work on county, State College and regional authorities, boards and commissions, Eich, as current commissioner Mark Higgins put it, “spent most of his adult life working to help make Centre County a better place.”
Eich died at the age of 67 on July 20 after an 18-month battle with multiple health issues, according to an obituary published on Saturday.
News of his passing was met with sorrow and words of praise for his devotion to community from elected officials and community members.
“It was an honor to know and serve with the incomparable Jon Eich,” state Rep. Scott Conklin, also a former commissioner, wrote on Twitter. “Thank you for your many years of friendship and devoted public service to Centre County.”
Born in New York, Eich graduated from Susquehanna University in 1977. Two years later he accepted a position as senior planner in Centre County government and, in 1996, he was appointed assistant director of planning. Along the way he earned a master’s degree in geography from Penn State while also researching studies and advocating for issues such as water systems, land preservation, road improvements and economic development.
He married his wife of 36 years, Kathleen, in 1986.
Eich became the county administrator, Centre County’s top appointed official, in 1999 and served in the position through 2003. He won election as a county commissioner in 2007 and during his term from 2008-12 he served as board chair.
In his time as administrator and commissioner he worked to increase subsidized housing, preserve farmland, protect watersheds, implement paper-verified voting systems and improve infrastructure and emergency communications.
“Jon Eich was the epitome of a public servant. Jon dedicated his life to constantly discovering, researching, and implementing initiatives and programs to improve the lives of Centre County’s residents,” Board of Commissioners Chair Michael Pipe wrote on Facebook. “From elections to economic development, from transportation to public safety, Jon had a positive impact on countless areas of community and county services.
“I was happy to call Jon a colleague and friend.”
Eich’s professional roles in government, however, were just a part of his public service. His volunteer work included positions on the Centre County Planning Commission, State College Transportation Commission and most recently the Centre Regional and State College planning commissions, where he regularly offered insightful comments and asked incisive questions.
“I had the honor of working with Jon Eich during my time on the Centre Regional Planning Commission,” Ferguson Township Supervisor Jeremie Thompson wrote. “Many thanks to Jon for his service, knowledge, and insight to the Centre Region. He will be missed.”
He was generous with his expertise and guidance.
“Even though my time with Jon was brief, he was such a passionate and intelligent leader whose ideas will continue to inspire us for years to come,” Josh Portney, a State College Planning Commission member and Penn State student, wrote. “I had the honor of serving with him on the SC Planning Commission and he was an advisor, a confidant and a friend.”
“Jon Eich was quite the public servant,” Robert Zeigler, a Millheim Borough Council member and Democratic candidate for the 171st state House District, wrote. “He was also supportive of my work and had some great advice about running for a higher office and talked about a variety of topics relating to infrastructure.
Zeigler wrote that Eich told him, “‘Your goal doesn’t need to just be to win or drive up votes. You can push your opponent on two or three key issues and make them do some good for the state. A campaign doesn’t always need to be about the candidate, it can be about the cause that the candidate champions.’”
Eich also was a member of a number of nonprofit organizations, including ClearWater Conservancy, Penns Valley Conservation Association, Centre County Farmland Trust, Moshannon Valley Economic Development Partnership, Centre County Affordable Housing Coalition and Snow Shoe Rails to Trails, among others.
“Jon was an invaluable member of the public servants that make our community great,” the State College Community Land Trust wrote.
Eich is survived by his wife, Kathleen, and extended family.
Those who wish to memorialize his life are encouraged to donate to first responders, libraries, food banks or any other service organization, according to his obituary. They may also consider some of his favorite nonprofit organizations: Centre Volunteers in Medicine, The Atlantic Wildlife Institute and State College Community Land Trust.
