September 20, 1948 – February 23, 2022
Al Eberhardt, affectionately known as ‘Alpa’, ‘Big Al’, and ‘Mr. Gig’, passed on surrounded by his loving family members in Pueblo, CO after a brief illness.
He was born in St. Louis, MO to Earl and Eva Eberhardt (Duff). He graduated from Maplewood High School in Maplewood, Missouri in 1966, and received his bachelor’s degree in music studies from the University of New Mexico in 1970.
He enlisted in the United States Air Force in July 1970. He was stationed at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs with the NORAD Band, and later at the Air Force Academy with the USAFA Band, where he performed with the Moods in Blue, Blue Steel, and led the Brass Quintet. Al retired from the U.S. Air Force in July 1990. Al led his own local band, The Changing Times, which performed regularly at the Broadmoor Tavern and various venues around Colorado. He was known for entertaining audiences by playing two of his trumpets at once. Al produced four albums over the past 25 years, with his final tribute album being Pop-A-Jazz. In addition to performing, he taught private lessons to many students. He was an original member of the Pikes Peak Jazz and Swing Society and the 2010 recipient of their Alice Award. Al served an appointment as artist-in-residence at CSU-Pueblo for 20 years, where he proudly directed the CSU-Pueblo Jazz Band and continued to play with the Changing Times at local venues in Colorado Springs and Pueblo.
He is preceded in death by his parents, and older brother, Dewey. He is survived by his wife, Paula (Malott) of 51 years, and their three children, Eric (Liesl), Emily Batson (Terrence), and Evan (Kristina), as well as three grandchildren, Ella, Brandon, and Jane. Al touched countless lives through his performances as a professional entertainer. He was larger than life, a great storyteller, and loved to share a hearty laugh. He will be greatly missed by his family and his friends, and his musical legacy will survive to herald his spirit.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 11, 2022, at 10am at the Shrine of Remembrance at 1730 E. Fountain Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80910. Donations can be made in Al’s name to the Pikes Peak Jazz and Swing Society Jazz Education Fund, P.O. Box 6802, Colorado Springs, CO, 80934.
Anonymous
28 Feb 2022The Buckley SFB military Retiree Activities Office (RAO) would like to offer our sincere condolences and our gratitude for MSgt Eberhardt’s service to our country in the Air Force. If you would like help with any matters related to casualty assistance, Defense Finance & Accounting Service, Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), Veterans Affairs (VA), etc. you can contact our office on Buckley SFB at 720-847-6693. The RAO is staffed by volunteers, all military retirees themselves, and our sole purpose is to provide assistance to any military retirees and surviving spouses/family members with anything related to their military service and/or benefits, in particular during difficult times such as this. We are deeply sorry for your loss.
Steve Young
Lt Col, USAF, Ret
Director, Buckley SFB RAO
ANNA ALVARADO
6 Mar 2022To Al’s Family: Please accept my deepest sympathy for this truly great man who lived among us. I was honored to know him.
To Al: You were truly admired by my family:
Jacob, who always thought of you as a larger-than-life inspiration and still speaks fondly of you…
Daniel, who looked up to you as a musical genius..
My Dad, who was utterly thrilled after being given a few of those great CD recordings…
and I will never forget that you never collected your “raise,” but I know you are reaping those rewards and more with your God now. Rest in peace, my friend; you will never be forgotten.