BOMBER MEMORIAL

JOSEPH EDWARD "JOE" ESCHBACH ~ Class of 1972
November 7, 1953 - April 13, 2015

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Beloved husband, father and brother, Joe Eschbach passed away unexpectedly at home on April 13, 2015 in Los Altos Hills, CA at the age of 61, after a two-year struggle with an illness. Joseph Edward "Joe" Eschbach was born in Richland on November 7, 1953 to Mary and Eugene Eschbach.

Joe graduated from Richland's Columbia High School with the Class of 1972. He earned a bachelor's degree in economics and a master's degree in mechanical engineering from Washington State University. He attended Cambridge University in Cambridge, England as a Rotary Foundation Scholar where he earned a diploma in economics (master's degree) and rowed on a crew team. He went on to Stanford University to earn a PhD in Engineering-Economic Systems. Joe worked for many years as a marketing executive in Silicon Valley, at companies such as Apple, Adobe and Microsoft, and most recently as a sought-after consultant.

Joe was known for his sense of humor and wit, bringing laughter to conversation with pithy comments on life and the human condition. He was intellectually curious and well-read and could speak knowledgeably about many topics. He loved books and had a large collection on history, cooking, design, classic cars and Catholicism. Joe's thoughtfulness and generosity extended to friends as well as family, frequently delighting them with just the right gift or a surprise meal arrangement. He enjoyed working in his garden, keeping the squirrels from his bird feeders and beekeeping. At home he was usually to be found in company with the family cat, who considered Joe his special person. Joe loved music and had an extensive music collection ranging from classical to jazz to klezmer, and everything in between. He enjoyed travel, most recently a two-week trip to South Africa.

Joe will be sadly missed by his wife of 27 years, Margaret Brandeau; his three sons: John, Paul and Thomas; his five siblings: Mary Eschbach ('73), Elizabeth "Liza" Eschbach ('74), Catherine "Katie" Eschbach Rush ('76) (John), Eugenie "Genie" Eschbach Ihle ('77) (Nathan) and Peter "Pete" Eschbach ('81); and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A funeral mass was held at Saint Nicholas Catholic Church in Los Altos, CA on April 20, 2015.

In memory of Joe, and in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation (www.lungcancerfoundation.org) or the Palo Alto Humane Society (www.PaloAltoHumane.org).

Published in the San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times on April 17, 2015.

Guest Book.

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From Joe Ford ('63)

"Fellow Richlanders,

I’m sending a condolence note to everyone who cared about Joe Eschbach.

By complete coincidence (and avoiding a long and boring story), Joe and I shared quarters (along with other young residents) in a group house on Capitol Hill in DC in the late 1970s. We had a lot of common memories and shared frames of reference. When the homeowner showed up and wanted to know about the makeup of the house, Joe’s Stanford and Cambridge degrees helped permit my residing in what had started as a Stanford house but had needed more bodies.

Joe was witty and very bright. He was educated and fun to spend time with. He told really funny stories about Cambridge tea and sherry parties, and how our common language works and sometimes doesn’t. He grew up along the dike on Haines, and graduated from Col-Hi in 1972. What we had in common was growing up in Richland, as well as WSU. We remembered some teachers’ names, and recounted stories about the Columbia and the islands and the dune festival.

We talked last about three years ago. Somewhere I ran across his name and called his cell. We had a fine, fun talk. He loved his family and was pleased that his good fortune (and that of Margaret Brandeau, his very accomplished wife) gave his family security. His professional work was at the highest echelons in Silicon Valley and I-405 corridor. He was responsible for bringing marketing programs to Microsoft that included product launches, and then managed one to show what it looked like. Bill Gates said, 'Great launch, Joe.'

More recently, Joe and his family created an endowed Chair in Electrical Engineering at WSU.

We have lost a warm, witty, very funny and very smart guy. Condolences to all the Eschbach family and friends. May your warm memories of Joe help to heal your losses."

Joe Ford (‘63)

Bomber Memorial put together by Maren Smyth ('63/'64) and edited by Shirley COLLINGS Haskins ('66).