Eddie Garcia’s greatest legacy lives on through his kids, Susan and Kate, who embody his values in their remarkable careers.
Edgar “Eddie” Ivan Garcia’s life exemplified the transition from athletic excellence to business success and community service.
Born in New Orleans and raised in Dallas, Eddie’s football talent at Woodrow Wilson High School earned him a spot at Southern Methodist University, where he tied the school record with 44 field goals while earning his business degree.
His precision kicking led to three seasons with the Green Bay Packers after being drafted in 1982.
Following his NFL career, Eddie built a distinguished sales and marketing career at Oshkosh Defense, where his charisma earned him the reputation of being able to “sell ice to a penguin.”
More meaningfully, he forged lasting relationships with military personnel and facilitated the Packers Military Appreciation Game sponsorship.
In retirement, Eddie served on the Green Bay Packers Board of Directors, focusing on the Foundation’s charitable work supporting Wisconsin nonprofits.
He treasured his role distributing funding to organizations making a difference across the state.
Eddie passed away unexpectedly on June 5, 2025, at age 65, at his Poygan, Wisconsin home.
He left behind his wife Jill of 40 years, daughters Susan and Katherine, grandson Oscar, and siblings.
His family found comfort believing he joined his predeceased grandson Louis in heaven, continuing his beloved role as “Papi.”
Eddie Garcia Raised Accomplished Kids
Eddie Garcia’s most treasured role was that of father to his two accomplished daughters, Susan and Katherine (Kate), who have built impressive careers while embodying the values their father instilled in them.
Both women have established themselves as leaders in their respective fields, carrying forward Eddie’s legacy of excellence, relationship-building, and community service.
Susan Garcia Hagen: A Strategic Communications Leader
Susan Garcia Hagen has established herself as a creative strategist and communications leader, currently serving as Creative Services Director at the University of Minnesota.
Her career trajectory demonstrates the same dedication to relationship-building and community service that characterized her father’s life.
Susan leads a talented team of writers, multimedia designers, and visual storytellers who work to highlight the education, research, and outreach efforts of the University of Minnesota system.
Her role places her at the intersection of creativity and strategy, where she develops compelling narratives that showcase the university’s impact on communities throughout Minnesota and beyond.
Before assuming her current leadership position, Susan served as Interim Creative Services Director and Senior Marketing Strategist at the University of Minnesota, roles that allowed her to develop and refine her strategic approach to communications.
Her expertise in social media strategy led to significant achievements during her tenure as Senior Social Media Manager at the Public Library of Science (PLOS), where she built an organization-wide social media strategy that expanded their platform portfolio and delivered over 8 million engagements in 2021.
Susan’s educational background includes a Master of Arts in Strategic Communications from the University of Minnesota, complementing her Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from the same institution.
Her academic foundation, combined with her practical experience, positions her as a thought leader in strategic communications.
Throughout her career, Susan has demonstrated her father’s commitment to service through her work with various organizations and her public speaking engagements on social media strategy.
She has shared her expertise at University of Minnesota conferences, federal government agencies, and nonprofit organizations, extending her knowledge to benefit others in the field.
Katherine (Kate) Garcia Spina: International Brand Management Excellence
Katherine Garcia Spina, known professionally as Kate, has built an impressive career in international brand management, currently serving as Senior Brand Manager for It Cosmetics & Urban Decay at L’Oréal in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Her global perspective and strategic approach to brand development reflect the same excellence and relationship-building skills that defined her father’s career.
Kate’s international experience spans multiple markets and prestigious organizations.
At L’Oréal, she has progressed from Nordic Brand Manager for IT Cosmetics to her current senior role, where she oversees brand strategy and development for two major beauty brands across international markets.
Her position requires her to navigate complex cultural considerations while maintaining brand consistency and driving growth in competitive markets.
Prior to her success in the beauty industry, Kate built valuable experience in media and communications through roles at CNN and Refinery29.
At CNN, she served as Senior Manager of Client Services in London, where she managed client relationships and service delivery in the fast-paced media environment.
Her time at Refinery29 in New York provided her with deep insights into digital media and brand management, serving in progressive roles from Brand Executive to Client Services Manager.
Kate’s early career included valuable experience in sports marketing, following in her father’s footsteps with a connection to professional athletics.
She worked in marketing for the Minnesota Vikings Football, LLC, and gained hands-on experience with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx organizations through various internship roles.
Her diverse background includes experience with major agencies like Momentum Worldwide and Paragon Marketing Group, where she developed her skills in account management and strategic planning.
This foundation has served her well in her current international role, where she applies strategic thinking to complex brand challenges across multiple markets.
Both Susan and Katherine embody their father’s values of excellence, relationship-building, and service to others.
Susan’s work in higher education communications and Kate’s success in international brand management demonstrate how Eddie Garcia’s influence continues through his daughters’ professional achievements and personal character.
The sisters share their father’s commitment to building meaningful relationships and making positive contributions to their communities.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Eddie was married to his wife Jill for 40 years.
- Eddie had a beloved grandson named Oscar.
- Eddie was preceded in death by his grandson, Louis Edgar Spina.
