John Eickoff... RIP

[Mark Gulbrandsen]

I just heard from Phil Housh that John Eickoff passed away very recently. John had both heart and kidney issues. At this point in time, this is all Phil was able to tell me, he isn't able to log in, so asked that I share this. I've known John since the late 1970's, he visited my place outside of Chicago, and I've been to his place a number of times. He also worked for Claco Equipment in Salt Lake City before buying the theater in Wendell, ID. Hopefully Phil, or John's daughter can chime in with more complete info.
If there is a Power Wagon Heaven, I am sure John is there...
The photo is of Phil (front), and John (rear) at the Boise Egyptian Theater.

[Mark Gulbrandsen]

[Ryan Gallagher]

That is so sad to hear. I only know John from here but he has been so helpful and sharp right up until the very end. He was following all my booth improvements progress and his last PM to me was only 5 days ago along one of those project lines of inquiry. He was the one that had, and sent me for almost no cost beyond shipping, a nearly 70 year old heavy cast iron part last year a (Brenkert to Simplex pattern soundhead hanger).

I'm not sure what aspect ratio was his favorite, but I hope the pearly gates present themselves in that ratio.

[Mark Gulbrandsen]

I was not aware of his heart issues. That explains why he never had a kidney transplant.

[Jim Cassedy]

While I never met John personally, I enjoyed his posts on FT for many years, and I've
often benefited from the advice he freely shared with all of us here. It's always a bit
sad to hear when a fellow film-person has reached their final fade-out.
Sincerest condolences to his family and those who knew him personally.

[Mike Blakesley]

This is very sad, and surprising too. I knew John had a lot of health issues but he was indeed sharp right to the end.

John was a great guy. He was the second technician (out of only five!) to work for us at the Roxy. He oversaw our conversion to 5.1 surround, and later to DTS digital sound. I also had a conversation with him just last week about the fan cover for the slide projector I'm resurrecting. He was definitely one of the most helpful people to ever grace this business. His daughter was named Roxy too...not after my theater, but just because they liked the name, but I still thought it was cool anyway.

I never saw his shop or theater but just from talking to him, I have a good feeling that he has A LOT of old theater-related parts and stuff that his family is going to have to find homes for...that's going to be a daunting, but interesting task!

John always said that ours was one of his favorite booths to work in because on top of everything else, he was also a railfan. Our booth window looks out on the BNSF railyard which is only half a block away. He could reel off what engine model that was going by, and would often know how old it was too.

Here is a cool video that was done about John in December of 2023.
https://www.ktvb.com/video/news/loca...6-f62b9f330d1c

[Mark Gulbrandsen]

Thanks for posting that Mike!

[Tony Bandiera Jr]

I was shocked to see this..I had spoken with John on the 7th, he said he was feeling pretty good, that his recent heart issues seemed to be in check. We had planned on fixing up the Ace Theatre soon, it was to be my winter project to help him get the booth in order and get the Barco upstairs and fired up.

He was one of last of the old school projection techs, his knowledge and skills were second to none. He was also a character who enjoyed life, he and I had a lot of fun taking the mickey out of each other over any topic.

Mike, you are correct, his theatre is literally jammed with most anything projection related, and he has a shop that has a lot more too. He also loved old vehicles, like military surplus, trucks, Jeeps, etc. The other project he'd wanted me to do for him is catalog and start selling his expansive inventory of parts and equipment.

I am still not quite believing this has happened, and hope his family is doing ok. My condolences to his family, friends and all of the industry that knew John. He will be missed. He and Sam will be talking about the times they shared in this industry.

[Mike Blakesley]

By the way.....it is kind of a disservice to John's memory to have this thread in the "Afterlife" forum, which is dedicated to video. It should be in the Film Handlers Forum, please?

[Mark Gulbrandsen]

I wasn't sure where to put it. Never had to post a friends death before. Tried to find Sam's thread, but that didn't pop right up either. Film Handlers is a good idea if the moderator can move it all.

[Josh Jones]

Wow, what a shock! I recently reconnected with John several months back, even spoke to him on the phone. What a character. We had tossed around the the idea of meeting up close to his hacienda this fall, but the plans never really materialized. I still owe him a grainbelt for fixing a brenkert movement I buggered up about 20 years ago.

I should get a model power wagon to sit next to Paul's tasmanian devil in my booth.

JJ

[Steve Guttag]

By the way.....it is kind of a disservice to John's memory to have this thread in the "Afterlife" forum, which is dedicated to video. It should be in the Film Handlers Forum, please?

It should be in "Film Yak"

[Tony Bandiera Jr]

By the way.....it is kind of a disservice to John's memory to have this thread in the "Afterlife" forum, which is dedicated to video. It should be in the Film Handlers Forum, please?

Mike, knowing John as I do he'd get a laugh out of it honestly...and he'd also say it's typical of Mark.

[Ryan Gallagher]

Mike, knowing John as I do he'd get a laugh out of it honestly...and he'd also say it's typical of Mark.

Knowing what I know of John, he'd probably be happier with his memorial thread existing among all these eclectic posts about where old film gear can go to have a second life, anniversary releases, and other curiosities of the past. Intent aside, it is a much more aptly named category. ;-)

[Mark Gulbrandsen]

By the way.....it is kind of a disservice to John's memory to have this thread in the "Afterlife" forum, which is dedicated to video. It should be in the Film Handlers Forum, please?

Well, Brad put Sam in Film Yak, and that's probably where I should have put John as well. And the Afterlife is not dedicated to video. There's all sorts of stuff there.