Renato (Rennie) Philip Eicher, age 46 of Isanti, MN, passed away quietly in his sleep on September 19, 2023, after a long struggle with many health issues. A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church of Cambridge, MN on Saturday, September 30, 2023 at 11:00 AM, with visitation one hour prior. Memorials preferred to Children’s Shelter of Cebu. The service will be livestreamed on the Church youtube channel and facebook page. www.youtube.com/@FirstBaptistCambridge www.facebook.com/Firstbaptistcambridge.
Rennie (Badayos) was born in Cebu, Philippines on May 6, 1977. When he was 8 yrs., his mother died and his father was unable to care for him and his twin brothers, Mark and Peter, who were 4 yrs. at the time. Thus, the three boys were left to fend for themselves on the streets in Cebu, the second largest city in the Philippines. When he was 11 yrs., he and his brothers were taken into the Children’s Shelter of Cebu, where they received the care and love so desperately needed. When the Dennis and Sharon Eicher family traveled to Cebu in 1988 for a visit, they met the three boys; and after returning home, started the process to adopt Rennie and his brothers. In January, 1989, four short months after submitting their application, the Eichers traveled once again to the Philippines, bringing the boys home to be adopted and become an integral part of the Eicher family.
Rennie attended school in the Cambridge-Isanti area where he participated on the high school’s football, basketball and baseball teams. He was known for his kindness, gentle spirit and engaging smile, and played a key role in encouraging others to accept and extend kindness to others who might be challenged in various ways, and subject to bullying. After high school, he attended Itasca Community College. Rennie worked as a cable installer and at various group homes until his health issues prevented him from working.
Rennie enjoyed watching sports, spending time with family and friends, going out for dinner with his brothers Mark, Peter and Joe, and watching South Korean movies. He lived out his faith in his kindness toward others, especially his family when he was limited in his ability to go out. Many people have commented on his engaging smile that brightened the room when he came in.
Rennie is survived by his parents, Dennis and Sharon Eicher, his brothers Mark, Peter, Scott (Amy), and Joe Eicher and Edgar Badayos (Cebu), and sisters Kim Williams, LaiLai Eicher, and Kris (Sam) Johnson, as well as many nieces and nephews, some in the US and others in Cebu.
Ren(as I called him), I remember the earliest days meeting this shy, timid kid who was seemingly overwhelmed by this entirely new world he’s been brought into. Then to watch you burst out of that shell over the years, so easily making friends with everyone was amazing. The bond we created over those years will always be very special to me, a true brotherhood. Although we haven’t been in touch over recent years, I’d frequently have the most fun conversations with mutual friends about you and all those awesome memories we created together. You were one of a kind, you’ll always be with me. I love you. My strongest condolences to Dennis, Sharon, Mark, Peter, Joe, and the entire Eicher family.