Kenneth Robert Eickmeyer, 77, of St. Louis, Missouri, passed away on January 11, 2026, at home surrounded by family. He died from stage 4 esophageal cancer, diagnosed in October. Though his illness progressed quickly, he fought courageously until the very end.

Ken is survived by his loving wife, Laura (née Caronna); his daughters, Katherine (Aron) and their children, Charlie and Jackson, and Emily (Ryan) and their children, Gabriella and Avalyn. He is also survived by many dear friends, especially Peter Polizzi and Frank Gianino; as an only child, Ken considered them his brothers, sharing a close bond that spanned nearly 55 years.

Ken was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, a place he was immensely proud to call home. He was born on September 18, 1948, the beloved son of Clifford Robert Eickmeyer and Lorena Hopkins Eickmeyer.

Ken enlisted in the United States Navy in 1967, completing a tour of duty that featured over a year of foreign service in Japan. Following his honorable discharge, he attended Saint Louis University while also serving as a university police officer. 

Married in November 1980 at St. Ambrose Church “On The Hill” by the late Msgr. Polizzi, Ken and Laura had recently celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary shortly before his passing.

Professionally, Ken dedicated 40 years to Mango Distributing, a subsidiary of Home Service Oil Company, consistently going above and beyond for his customers and colleagues until his retirement in 2015.

Beyond Ken’s career, he was deeply devoted to his family and community. He was actively involved in numerous events at his home parish, Our Lady Queen of Peace in House Springs. He coached his daughters’ sports teams, with a special love for softball, though he eagerly learned the game of soccer to help coach that as well. One of his favorite pastimes was traveling; Ken cherished the opportunity to show his daughters the beauty of the country he had so proudly served.

An avid history enthusiast, Ken had a particular interest in the Civil War. He was also a dedicated collector, with a passion for firearms spanning various time periods and styles. Known affectionately as “Ike” to his closest friends and as Ken or even “Mr. Eickmeyer” to many others, he left a lasting impression on all who knew him.

Interment, per Ken’s wishes, will be held on Friday, June 12, at Jefferson Barracks at 1:15 p.m., followed by a small celebration of life gathering with a specific location still to be determined. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ursuline Academy – St. Louis. Providing his daughters with an education that fostered women’s empowerment and opportunity was one of Ken’s core values, one he supported with great dedication and sacrifice.

Family was Ike’s greatest pride and joy; his legacy lives on through his daughters and grandchildren, the lights of his life whom he treasured beyond words.