The “richest man in town” was recognized Wednesday by the Sturgis City Commission.
Eric Eishen retired in January from Sturgis Bank after 45 years. His time with Sturgis Bank and Sturgis Bancorp included more than 20 years as president, CEO, and a director of both. Eishen is a “son to the city,” Sturgis Mayor Frank Perez said.
Heartfelt praises and thanks were shared Wednesday in a room full of friends, family, and community members. It sounds like a Frank Capra movie, and Sturgis Vice Mayor Aaron Miller had the most famous in mind.
“If I had to think of one person that represented George Bailey to Bedford Falls in ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’ it would be Eric Eishen as it is to Sturgis,” Miller said.
Eishen has selflessly given for his family and those around him, Miller said. It’s happened over the years and decades, through donations, work, and treating many people well.
“Eric, you have always been a winner for Sturgis,” Miller said. “You have been a leading champion for this community, both personally and through the company that you led for so long, (and by inspiring) the people you led as well. You inspired people to do the same.”
Following Miller’s speech, Perez issued a proclamation recognizing Eishen. Of all the awards he’s received, Eishen said, Wednesday’s honor is the best.
“The thing is, it’s been public service to the community that I love. Sturgis is my home. I might have been born in Charlotte, but this is the place where I grew up,” Eishen said.
When Eishen started with Sturgis Bank, he received advice from his dad. Drawing his living from the community means owing that community. It is a principle that Eishen has stuck with.
“My folks inspired me to do public service, but all the things I did in the city, whether I was giving an opinion or something of that nature, I didn’t do any work – it was you guys,” Eishen said, getting some laughs.
In seriousness, Eishen said the Sturgis City Commission and city staff are the ones who make things happen. They do what they do not for money, but out of love for their city.
“Under his leadership, Sturgis Bank has been an exemplary corporate citizen, continually supporting activities and investing in projects that aid the development and improvement of the Sturgis area,” Perez said.
Perez, through the proclamation, recognized Eishen’s time and membership with groups including the Sturgis Area Community Foundation Board of Trustees, Sturgis Downtown Development Authority, Sturgis Improvement Association and Sturgis Economic Development Corporation.
“Mr. Eishen always cares for the good of Sturgis and its people in his heart and soul,” Perez said.
- Commissioners Richard Bir, 1st Precinct, and Linda Harrington, 3rd Precinct, were absent from Wednesday’s meeting.
- Commissioner Jeff Mullins, 1st Precinct, also said Wednesday that his work schedule is changing. He plans to be in Sturgis during weeks when there are commission meetings and in New York during weeks without meetings. Mullins is an outside sales representative for the Rapid Packaging Corporation.
- The next regular Sturgis City Commission meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 24 at City Hall.
Frank Stanko is a staff writer with Watershed Voice.
