Nancy Eisenmann, 87, of Simsbury, died peacefully in her home on October 7, 2017, after a life of extraordinary accomplishments. She was born in Maywood, Illinois in 1929, to the noted cartoonist J. Alphonso Koenig (protege and best friend of Dr. Seuss) and Frances Koenig. Nancy graduated in 1951 from DePauw University and became commissioned by the United States Air Force. She attained the rank of First Lieutenant, serving as the first-ever female intelligence officer at Otis Air Force Base during the Korean War and was trained in military law, intelligence, air warfare and leadership. She was the first female to command a squadron in the Air Force. In a court-martial proceeding for one of her enlisted men at Otis Air Force Base, Lt. Koenig underwent cross-examination by a handsome young JAG officer named Carl Eisenmann. She told the truth, they fell in love on the spot, and were married very shortly thereafter. It lasted over 60 years, terminated only by Carl’s passing last year.
Nancy was an accomplished painter with a deep appreciation for vivid colors and striking compositions. She won numerous awards, exhibited in dozens of galleries and shows throughout the Northeast. Her work hangs in several permanent gallery collections, as well as in numerous private collections throughout the world. She was a member of Gallery on the Green, the Alexey von Schlippe Gallery, the West Hartford Art League, Who’s Who in American Artists, art teacher, proprietress of The Country Artist, and a long-time board member and officer of the Connecticut Academy of Fine Arts.
In addition to her spirited eye, she was a gourmet cook, winning at least ten national and international contests. Remarkably, she once concocted a recipe called Pirate’s Treasure Chicken, submitted it to the Christian Brothers Winery national recipe contest and won First Place Entree, all without ever actually making or trying the dish.
She had a formidable intellect, and was extremely proud of her memberships in the Mensa and InterTel high-IQ groups. She was a voracious reader, accruing a massive library throughout her life. Nancy’s additional pastimes included not only solving crossword, logic and word puzzles, but creating them. She invented several word games published in Games Magazine, and spent many years as the cryptogram creator for the Hartford Courant. She also made dozens of articulated wooden toys for her beloved grandchildren in her basement wood shop, could fly a plane, and held several patents.
Nancy is predeceased by her parents and her husband Carl. She is survived by her son William Eisenmann and his wife Jurgita Eisenmann of Glastonbury, son Robert Eisenmann of Costa Mesa, California, four beloved grandchildren, Christina, Katie, Jake and Alexandra, and great-grandson Lucca.
Friends may call at the Vincent Funeral Home, 880 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury on Thursday, October 12th from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Funeral service will be held at the funeral home at 10:00 AM on Friday, October 13th. Burial with military honors will follow in the Simsbury Cemetery. Please visit Nancy’s “Book of Memories” at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online condolences.