Louis Michael Eich
1888 - 1959

Louis Michael Eich, Associate Professor Emeritus of Speech, died after a long illness on November 24, 1959, in Winter Park, Florida, two days after his seventy-first birthday.

Professor Eich was born November 22, 1888, at Cincinnati, Ohio, the son of Lena Steffins Eich and Henry Eich. He attended the public schools of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Bellevue, Kentucky, where he finished high school in 1908. Professor Eich earned the A.B. (1912), A.M. (1914), and Ph.D. (1923) degrees at the University of Michigan. He began his teaching in 1912 as an instructor at Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois, and the following year (1913-1914) was an English instructor at Ann Arbor High School. From 1914 to 1917 he was Instructor in Public Speaking at the University of Michigan. Except for a year as an instructor in public speaking at the Ohio State University (1917-1918) and for a one-year assignment at the Grand Rapids Junior College (1920-1921), Professor Eich's professional life was completely identified with the University of Michigan. He was promoted to Assistant Professor in 1921, and to Associate Professor in 1928. He retired with the title Associate Professor Emeritus on November 22, 1954.

Professor Eich's long and conscientious service was not confined to classroom teaching alone. In the University he served as Secretary of the Summer Session for fifteen years (1933-1948). In this capacity he came into contact with thousands of teachers throughout the nation and played a significant role in the growth of the Summer Session. As chairman of the Committee on University Lectures for seventeen years (1935-1952), he showed extraordinary patience and tact in dealing with the problems that inevitably confronted him and the Committee. Dr. Eich was also active as a member of the National Association of Teachers of Speech in the capacity of Secretary of NATS (1927), as a member of the Executive Council (1941-1942), and Vice-President of the organization from 1941-1942.

In addition to writing more than ten major articles for profes¬sional speech journals, Dr. Eich was co-author (with Lionel G. Crocker) of the highly successful textbook Oral Reading, published in 1947, and in a second edition in 1955. Previously he contributed articles to Studies in the Art of Interpretation (1940), edited by Gertrude Johnson and A History and Criticism of American Public Address (1943), edited by W. W. Brigance. These writings by Dr. Eich are widely acclaimed as scholarly works by members of the speech profession today.

In the Department of Speech, Dr. Eich rendered valuable service on departmental committees. He was chairman and member of many doctoral committees, both in the department and in other departments. For twenty-five years he represented the University of Michigan on the Committee of the Northern Oratorical League, an organization embracing the Big Ten Universities.

Dr. Eich was highly regarded by the students who studied under his direction. He was a stimulating teacher, generous of his time, and especially interested in being a helpful guide to his students. His career has been distinguished by his contagious love of people, by the excellency of his scholarship, by the devotion of his students and colleagues, and by the interest and loyalty he gave to the University of Michigan.

To his wife, Mrs. Louis M. Eich, of Winter Park, Florida; to his son, Dr. Robert H. Eich, of Syracuse, New York; and to his brother, Henry Eich of Jackson, Michigan, the College extends its deepest sympathy.

L. LaMont Okey
William M. Sattler