Robert Howard Eichem III, age 45 years, of New Hope, PA, died peacefully on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, after a sudden onset medical event at home.

Born on September 15, 1975 in Houston, TX, son of Cheryl Zwernemann Eichem and Robert Howard Eichem II, Rob had lived in New Hope for the past 20 years, having formerly lived in Philadelphia, PA and Chicago, IL.

An enthusiastic Houston Astros and Oilers fan from his early childhood, Rob’s love of sports never diminished, but grew year after year. Rob played high school football as a kicker, and went on to a glorious college intramural sports career. Rob always had a natural desire to reach towards the next level in all that he did.

Wanting to spread his wings and explore new cities, Rob applied to and was accepted to DePaul University in Chicago, IL.  Majoring in English, his time at DePaul was truly some of the best of his life. He spent his own education wishing he had been challenged and pushed more. In making his decision to be a teacher, he wanted to be the sort of educator who would help every student reach their full potential, which he believed was limitless. Upon graduating from DePaul in 1997, he went on to immediately earn his MA in secondary education from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA.

Rob’s passion for helping others followed him to Pennsylvania, and he soon found himself going to school as well as working as a counselor at The West Meade Center, a home for abused children. Rob’s easygoing personality and sense of humor suited him well to this position, and he quickly became one of the favorite, and most trusted staff members of many of the kids.

It was during this period of his life when he would meet Rachel Semple, another counselor at the center, and the two would quickly form a strong friendship based on mutual respect and humor. Their friendship would morph rapidly into a deep love for the other, and Rob would happily propose to Rachel on the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum. They would marry on November 20, 2004  on the campus of Solebury School, which was and still is their home.

Rob’s first and only teaching job was at Solebury School where he started as an English and History teacher in 2001. Solebury was never just a job for Rob, it was the perfect opportunity to blend his passions for teaching, sports, coaching, and family. He served not only as a teacher, but as a dorm parent, coach of numerous athletic teams, and was currently serving as both an ESL teacher and as Director of Athletics.

When it came to athletics, no matter what the sport, Rob of course wanted to win. But no one would ever say that was his priority. Rob considered his players family. He expected each teammate, each family member, to set goals and attain them. He stressed that as players, they were not playing for him, but rather for themselves and for each other. He would ask each player, every day, “did you do your best?” That is all Rob wanted: for each member of the team to do their best.

Rob was the silent observer, who you always knew was taking it all in, and ready to share if asked. He had a quote for every situation, often referring to the “Quote of the Day” which he shared with students and athletes alike. Always respectful, he would push and challenge everyone to see in themselves what he saw: which was limitless potential. He believed that academics and sports went hand in hand, and when together, brought out the best in oneself.

Rob was so proud of his Solebury Community and was grateful that his family-Rachel and his three sons-were able to live on the school grounds. It made his late night games, long afternoon practices, weekend field lining, and all of his other responsibilities, manageable, and well balanced. All while allowing him to raise three sons with a baseball and soccer field in their backyard, and a full basketball court just a golf cart ride away.

Rachel and the boys were the fuel that made Rob rise up each morning. Rob was the very proud Dad of Jacob, Ryan and Brooks- and his boys were the world to him. He coached them in any sport they wanted to play, he encouraged them to read and expand their knowledge, and they knew he was always there for anything they needed.

Rachel and Rob were that couple who were both going 100 mph in two different directions but were still each other’s top priority. At the end of each day, they could not wait to find that time to just be together. And at each other’s side was their happy place. Rob loved being a Dad and they co-parented in ways that made their friends want them to write a ‘how-to’ book. They simply wanted their boys to be respectful and responsible world citizens, and Rob certainly leaves a legacy to be emulated toward traveling down that path.

Rob was a voracious reader with an eclectic taste in books. Of course there were sports biographies, but he also greatly enjoyed books on mindfulness, history, psychology, and political figures. Words with friends and Candy Crush were also usually being played by Rob on his phone. He could certainly be classified as a fantasy sports guru, and he created leagues that included alumni, community members, colleagues, and eventually his own boys. He enjoyed a good craft beer while relaxing around a fire pit with family and friends, and never turned down the chance to try a good bourbon.

Sports and coaching went far beyond the grounds of Solebury School, as he coached community youth baseball, basketball, and soccer. When he didn’t have a whistle around his neck, he enjoyed playing flag football, and softball with friends. And he will always be remembered for his diehard love of his Chicago Cubbies.

Rob will forever be remembered not just for making Shakespeare and baseball live harmoniously in the same time and space, but for being a loving husband, father, educator, coach and friend who lived simply to help others see their value. Rob believed that no man was better than another, and everyone brings value to life and that value must be respected.

Though his time on earth was too short by the standards we know, Rob has left a mark that makes it seem as if he had lived a hundred years. In the spirit of seeing all people as equal, Rob, through his wishes and the actions of his family, gave a final gift, the gift of life, to dozens of people through the act of organ and tissue donation. May his selflessness serve as an inspiration for generations to come.

In addition to his parents, Rob is survived by his loving wife, Rachel Semple Eichem; his cherished sons, Jacob Philip Gleason, Ryan Charles Eichem, and Brooks Robert Eichem; his mother-in-law, Nancy Semple; his brother-in-law, Brice Semple; his aunt and uncle-in-law, Susan and Charles Hermann; his canine friends, Harper and Stella; several extended family members; his Solebury family; and many friends.

A celebration of this amazing soul will take place on Saturday, June 12, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Solebury School Athletic Center, 6832 Phillips Mill Road, New Hope, PA 18938. Please follow parking instructions upon arrival.

Food & fellowship will follow the service so please plan to stay and spend time with others the way Rob would of wanted,

Additionally, please come wearing your favorite sports jersey or tee-shirt ~ be comfortable and casual (as Rob would have preferred us to always be) and perhaps be ready to play a little Whiffle Ball!  The event will be outside – kindly be prepared for sun & heat.

Realizing that some people may be unable to attend due to distance, the life celebration service will be live-streamed.Please click HERE to watch (kindly ensure that you do not have a pop-up blocker installed).

Complete arrangements are under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

You are encouraged to visit Robert’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of his life.

In lieu of flowers and in an effort to assist Rob’s children with furthering their education, a secure fund has been set up in his honor and memory. Those who wish are invited to click HERE to be taken to his personal and secure donation page. Any and all contributions are greatly appreciated and the amounts of your contribution are kept confidential as it is the thought, not the amount, that means most. For those who wish to mail a contribution, please do so by making a check payable to ‘In Memory Of’, noting ‘Robert Eichem’ in the memo and mailing to: In Memory Of, P.O. Box 5472, Charlottesville, VA 22905.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”