Eric Dale Vandeloecht was born Sept. 24, 1960 in Callaway County, the son of Robert D. and Treva Maddox Vandeloecht.  Eric died on April 22, 1982 at the University of Arizona Hospital in Tucson, 22 days after undergoing a heart transplant operation.

He graduated from Fulton High School in 1978 and from the University of Missouri in 1981 with a degree in agriculture.  He was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity at the university and a member of an independent group at the college called the Ruf-Nex.  He was a member of Central Christian Church and had been an Eagle Scout with Troop 50 in Fulton.

In addition to his parents, survivors include one sister, Joneta Vandeloecht of Columbia; his maternal grandfather, Fay Maddox, of Mokane; his paternal grandparents, Les and Elda Vandeloecht of Fulton; and several aunts and uncles.  He was engaged to be married to Cindy Murphy, who survives in Fulton.

Eric is buried in Callaway Memorial Gardens in Fulton, MO.