[nfbwatlk] Obituary, Bob Eschbach

[Becky Frankeberger]

Eschbach, Robert M.

Reverend Robert Myers Eschbach, 80, transitioned peacefully in his sleep at
home in Casa Grande, Arizona on Tuesday, January 22, 2013 after a confirmed
diagnosis of cancer on the 6th of January.  Bob was born in Baguio,
Philippines on August 26, 1932 to missionary parents Rev. Dr. Carl B. and
Mrs. Ruth M. Eschbach.  He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister
and brother-in-law Margaret and John Freeman, and brother James Eschbach, as
well as his nine faithful guide dogs.  He graduated from the Ohio State
School for the Blind (1950), Otterbein University (BA, 1954), United
Theological Seminary (MDiv, 1958), The Menninger Foundation (Fellow,
Religion and Psychiatry, 1967), and the University of Kansas (MSW, 1969).

He served as a minister in the EUB and the United Methodist Churches; as a
community mental health professional; and as an administrator and advocate
for the blind and visually impaired as the Assistant Director of BSVI for
the State of Ohio, and the director of the similar agency in Pennsylvania.

Since 1969 he had been a leader in the National Federation of the Blind - on
the National Board of Directors for 16 years, as the President of the Ohio
Affiliate for 11 years, and by assisting and encouraging blind people
throughout the country whatever their need.  He is survived by his "lover
and wife" of 53 years, Patricia L. (Horne) Eschbach; children Mary E.

Cunnyngham (Russ Meeker) of Ohio and Frederick Carl Eschbach (Marilyn

Deeter) of Arizona; grandchildren Jason B (Elizabeth) Cunnyngham (OH) and
Ian Michael Cunnyngham (HI); sister-in-law Marilla Eschbach, and a host of
family and friends who all joyously celebrate his life.  At the time of his
passing, Bob and Pat were preparing to return to the Otterbein retirement
community in Lebanon, Ohio for the third time - where he served as pastor in
the early 1960s and where they first retired, before moving to Arizona ten
years ago.  A service of celebration of his life will be held at The United
Methodist Church of Casa Grande, 1515 N. Trekell Rd., on Tuesday, January
29th at 11:00 a.m.  A second celebration will be held at Otterbein-Lebanon
Retirement Community on a date yet to be determined.  In lieu of flowers,
please consider making a contribution in his memory to the National
Federation of the Blind (www.nfb.org), 200 E. Wells St. at Jernigan Place,
Baltimore, Maryland 21230; Otterbein-Lebanon Retirement Community
(www.otterbein.org), 585 N. State Route 741, Lebanon, Ohio 45036; or a
charity of your choosing.