[Ohio-Talk] Obituary for Pat eschbach

[Eric Duffy]

Patricia Lou Eschbach

January 31, 1935 – November 6, 2025

Pat Eschbach, 90, died peacefully on November 6, 2025 in Lebanon, Ohio.  She was born on January 31, 1935 to Nina Francis (Wray) Horne and Melvin D Horne in Dayton, Ohio.  She lived most of her life in Ohio, graduated from Tippecanoe High School in Tipp City and received a degree from the Miami-Jacobs Business School. Later in life she attended Sinclair Community College and participated in the Columbus Area Leadership Program.  

Pat married Robert Myers Eschbach in 1959 and they had more than 53 years together until his passing in 2013.  She cultivated close relationships within their families – hosting and organizing many meaningful family gatherings.  She also had a strong sense of responsibility which often included working full-time as a bookkeeper or in administrative support.  Her faith was especially important to her – which she demonstrated through her service as the minister’s wife, with women of faith in the church’s mission work; on various church boards, and as a delegate for the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church.  A strong-willed woman, Pat was an ardent supporter of women’s equality, voter education, elder advocacy, and disability rights.  Her long-standing dedication, alongside Bob, to the National Federation of the Blind was a rich source for many stories and much pride in her involvement.

Pat’s favorite hobbies were driving and traveling.  She and Bob traveled extensively in their motorhome, she went on adventures with her sister,  and she journeyed throughout the United States – especially national parks – Canada, Nova Scotia, Germany, England, Austria, Switzerland, and Sweden.  She loved making connections with others and would find commonalities with nearly every person she met.  

Pat is predeceased by her parents, brothers Tom Horne and Ron Horne, husband Bob Eschbach, and nephew Dave Freeman.  She is survived by her sister, Jayne Yenger (TX), daughter Mary (Jerry) Wright (OH), son Frederick Eschbach (AZ), grandchildren Jason (Liz) Cunnyngham (Turkey) and Ian Cunnyngham (HI); great-grandchildren Emelia and Oliver Cunnyngham (Turkey); and many nieces, nephews and other special relatives.

Many thanks to the “Precious Partners” and many friends at Otterbein/Lebanon who helped her feel healthy, safe, involved, respected, and loved.  There will be a gathering in the summer of 2026 to celebrate the lives of Pat and Bob Eschbach and to scatter their ashes in the memorial garden at the Otterbein/Lebanon Cemetery.  

If you wish to make a gift in her memory, please consider donating to the National Federation of the Blind National Federation of the Blind <https://nfb.org/contribute/give>, or to the Otterbein Lebanon United Methodist Church.
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