Egon Reich I

Egon Reich I

December 26, 1923 - August 27, 2006

Egon Reich I

December 26, 1923 - August 27, 2006

Obituary

Egon Reich I

Egon Reich was born at Christmastime, December 26, 1923 in Vienna Austria. He passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 27, 2006 in his home in Mesa Verde, Costa Mesa, California of cancer. With him during his last days were his loving wife, Marilyn, their four beloved children, Heidi Pridemore, Becky Hall, Karen Eddow, and Egon Reich II, as well as several of their eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister, Lotte Anderson, who resides with her husband, Hans, and their two sons in Vienna. He was dearly loved by many and will be deeply missed by all.

Just two years ago, he published his autobiography, ‘Egon Reich I, An Unusual Life’. It has been called a saga of five generations, with parent’s histories and stories about his idyllic young life enjoying Saturday afternoon operettas and bicycle rides along hillside paths in the Vienna Woods.

At age fourteen, he escaped the Nazis and for a while lived in England on the estate of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle of Sherlock Holmes fame. His studies led him into becoming a noted illustrator, and by the age of twenty, he had become the Art Director and a Creative Director at Cockfield-Bown, the largest National Advertising Agency in Canada.

He had a bright yellow, long-nose, shiny-spoke-wheeled Chrysler convertible coupe, went swimming in the St. Lawrence River, and skiing in winter. Life was great, but he used to say, ‘Mickey Mouse kept calling me!’ On a visit to Hollywood, he met ‘the right girl’, had three daughters and a son, became President and CEO of a national food corporation in 1994, he sold his company to Interstate Brands and retired at the age of 72.

Egon lived an exciting and venturous life. He built a national corporation, and was CEO for over 30 years. Also, he enjoyed ‘fine art’ painting, singing, traveling, venturing and writing with both hands.

He met the love of his life, Marilyn, and one week after their first date, they were married. On November 27, 1998, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at a reception that was given by their loving children, Heidi, Becky, Karen and Egon Reich II, and their families.

A Funeral Service will be held on Sunday, September 10, 2006 ~ 1:00 P.M. at O’Connor Laguna Hills Mortuary, 25301 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Hills, CA 92653.

An Interment will immediately follow at El Toro Memorial Park, 25751 Trabuco Road, Lake Forest, CA 92630.

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9 responses to Egon Reich I

  1. My deepest sympathy goes out to all of you. I was privleged to meet Egon through Heidi. He was a nice and kind man.

    May God be with you all.

  2. Karen Eddow says:

    Hello Dad,
    I hope you are in a better place then the last few weeks put you. We are thinking about you every day and miss you very much. Mom is doing good and we are all here to take care of her – so do not worry. Thank you for being a great dad and always doing what you felt was right and standing behing your morals. We are very lucky that through all the rough times you and mom loved each other enough to always stay together. I hope to make it as long as you did and we can be thankful for that. I Love You Very Much – Karen

    1. Nancy Leland says:

      Dear Karen Eddow,
      I am a manager of a FAM Thrift Store in San Clemente, Ca. I have one of your mom and dad’s 3D books that they co authored with original viewfinder. I am not sure if you wanted this item, but I figured I would let you know we were donated this lovely book last week. If you are interested in getting this item, please call or write.

  3. Chris Inman says:

    To Becky and family,
    My deepest condolences to you and
    your family with the loss of your
    husband/father/grandfather.
    My prayers are with your all in this
    trying time.
    Sincerely,
    Chris Inman
    Business asscociate and friend of
    Becky’s

  4. We’re sorry we couldn’t be there to express our sympathies personally but our thougts are with you all.
    Love,
    Dan & Amy

  5. Heidi, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

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