Anthony E. "Tony" Eggers

1940 - 2019

Anthony E. "Tony" Eggers obituary, 1940-2019, Vancouver, WA

BORN

1940

DIED

2019

Anthony Eggers Obituary


ANTHONY E. “TONY” EGGERS
May 18, 1940 ˜ August 21, 2019


“If I knew dying was going to be this fun I would’ve done it years ago.” Sparkling with wit to the very end, Tony Eggers passed peacefully of heart failure holding the hand of Carol, his wife of 53 years. “She may look like Grandma E. to you, but to me she’ll always be the gorgeous 20 year-old girl I fell in love with.”
Surrounded by friends and family, Tony’s final days were as much a joyous celebration of his legend as a touching farewell.
Born to George and Gert Regan Eggers, Tony was initially raised by his mother and her extended family in Imogene, IA while his father served in WWII. The family soon settled in Omaha, NE and Tony was later joined by three siblings.
Tony was a keen academic with a curious mind. In school he pursued the classics, read and wrote poetry, and explored his spiritual side, attending seminary for the first two years of high school. He eventually found his one true calling: aviation.
Following two years of study at Creighton University in Omaha, Tony enlisted as a junior officer in the US Navy. He excelled in flight school and soon found himself assigned to attack squadron VA-95 aboard the carrier USS Ranger. He was awarded two air medals during his 1964-65 Vietnam tour of duty, including one episode that found him landing his Douglas A-1 Skyraider on the deck of the Ranger with his windscreen completely covered in oil after taking enemy fire. As ever, he dismissed these acts of heroism as being “young, dumb and bulletproof.”
In the spring of 1965, Tony met the young Carol Bottorff. He was awestruck, and the two exchanged cross-country love letters throughout the summer. By November they were married.
Tony finished his Navy career as a Lieutenant jet instructor and may (or may not) have paid a brief visit to his boyhood town in Iowa from the cockpit of an F9F, descending at full power and buzzing his uncle Doc’s farmhouse 20 feet above the rooftop.
In five quick years, the young couple added four kids to the family, settling for a time in Southern CA. Tony joined Continental Airlines during the industry’s golden age of flying, making Captain by the age of 39. In 1974 the family relocated to rural Battle Ground, WA, the trees around the house providing almost enough soundproofing to mask Tony’s enthusiasm for his beloved Nebraska Cornhusker football matches.
Tony’s work schedule allowed him time to be the biggest kid at Eggers Acres, exploring local bridle trails, streams and lakes with the family. They also travelled around the country, with Dad often in the cockpit joking over the PA to his kids.
In the early 90s, Tony and Carol built their dream view home on a Woodland hillside and joyfully welcomed visits from grown kids, grandkids and friends. Tony retired from the airlines in 1998.
They later settled in Salmon Creek, celebrating 50 years of marriage in 2015.
Tony is survived by his wife, Carol; daughter, Ann Vallee (Mark) of Bellingham, WA; son, Mike Eggers (Michelle McEttrick) of London, UK; daughter, Lisa Stanish (Steve) of Seldovia, AK; nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; and loads of lifelong friends.
He was preceded in death by his first son, Mark.
Fair winds and following seas, Papa Tony.
Celebration of Life, Sat., Oct. 5, 1:30p.m., Heathman Lodge, Vancouver, WA
Please sign his guest book @ www.columbian.com/obits

Published by The Columbian on Sep. 29, 2019.
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Memories and Condolences
for Anthony Eggers

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Dear Lisa and Family,
We just learned of the death of your dad. I met him once and enjoyed the truly exuberant and genuinely nice man that he was - traits which he passed on to you, Lisa.
Alex and Nate still remember you and your bus 28 or so years ago. You made life fun for them as it seems your dad did for you. God speed.

Fran & Mike, Alex & Nate Woolsey

October 6, 2019

Dear Carol and family, I am sorry for your loss of Tony. He was one of my favorite clients at the store and I always looked forward to seeing him. He will be missed.

Ernie Jones

October 5, 2019

It was on the mourn
That I saw a ship a sailing
The sea was calm
Tony was young
And he was at the rail
With shipmates once again.---rs

Roger Sheetz

October 5, 2019

We will be telling your stories, with love and laughter, for the rest of time! xx

Julie Davis

October 4, 2019

To a wonderful man that touch my life in so many positive ways. Love you Cousin Tony. May God bless you. Love Julie Eggers Johnson

Julie Johnson

October 2, 2019

Tony, it was an honor and privilege to fly with you. God speed and fair winds.

Mike Martin

October 1, 2019

Tony, or as we called him, Butch, was a wonderful, funny man who always made us laugh. He was always so full of life! He will be missed!!

Mary Collins

September 29, 2019

Tony, thanks for the good times growing up. You made the best chocolate chip cookies ever. You raised a lovely family with the love of your life. All your children are successful. You were touched by a lucky star!

September 29, 2019

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Memorial Events
for Anthony Eggers

Oct

5

Celebration of Life

1:30 p.m.

Heathman Lodge

Vancouver, WA

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