Canton Rotarian Rick Eicheldinger hails originally from Buffalo, New York where he attended Lancaster High School and later played football while attending Hobart College in Geneva, NY. He originally moved to Ohio to work as a teacher, football coach, wrestling coach, and housemaster at Western Reserve Academy. It was there he obtained his master’s degree and met his wife, Sharon. They made the decision to move to Canton after five years at the Academy. Rick works as a part of the RCY&D Wealth Management Team at Merrill Lynch where his passion is helping families plan for their financial futures. He is also a board member of Project Rebuild, President of Historic Ridgewood Preservation Inc., and a volunteer for Junior Achievement. Rick enjoys spending time with his French Mastiff, Napoleon, his American Bulldog, Layla, and most especially their new son, 8 month old Baron.

Rick’s interest in bourbon was gradual at first but picked up steam and his collection now sits at 80 bottles. His interest extends beyond drinking the brown stuff and into the legacy and history of the spirit.  Rick says, “As a former history teacher I love the story behind Bourbon’s role in the shaping of America. At its core, it is perhaps the most unpretentious spirit there is. The stuff of frontiersmen and hardscrabble settlers. John Wayne didn’t mosey up to the bar and order a Vodka Gimlet, he ordered a whiskey.”