Richard H. Eshbaugh

ESHBAUGH Richard H. Eshbaugh, age 92, of Westerville, Oh., died peacefully on Thursday, May 16, 2006 while sleeping at the Village of Westerville Retirement Center where he had resided since the death of his wife, Vesta in 2002. He is survived by his daughter, Dorothy Eshbaugh; son, Homer (Linda) Eshbaugh; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Malcolm and Ginny Fishback; nephews, Joe and Jack Fishback; niece, Jill Fishback Brown; cousin, Linda Rasek. Richard was one of the founders of the Grace Baptist Church of Downers Grove, Ill., a longtime member of the Metropolitan Church of Houston, Tex. and more recently, a member of the Sharon Woods Baptist Church of Columbus, Oh. After attending the University of Chicago for two years, he graduated with a degree in Chemical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he enrolled in R.O.T.C. and was a member of the varsity polo team. Called to active military service in 1941, he rose to the rank of Captain in the Army Corps of Engineers. During artillery training, he met his future wife, Vesta L. Fishback, at Camp Robinson, AR, where she was stationed as an Army Nurse. Richard served in Europe during World War II and commanded the company of the Army Engineers that made the third crossing of the Rhine River. Following the end of the war, he remained active in the Army Reserve, and again was called to active service during the Berlin Crisis of 1954, when he served with the 322nd Logistical Command, stationed at Fort Lee, Va. Returning to civilian life, he again remained in the active reserve until he retired at age 65 with the rank of Colonel. In civilian life, Richard worked for 25 years as a chemical engineer at Swift and Company of Chicago. He was a registered and licensed professional engineer, and was respected by his peers. Later, he was employed for many years by the Chicago Bridge and Iron Company as a Quality Assurance Engineer for nuclear power plants. An active member of a number of professional organizations, including the American Chemical Society, The American Institute of Chemical Engineers, American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Society of American Military Engineers and the Reserve Officers' Association. Among his many interests was bird watching, a sport he began in his youth and continued throughout his life. He took many trips around the country, including a trip to Alaska and many numerous friends among his fellow birders. He was a member of the National Audubon Society and the American Birding Association. A visitation will be held at the MORELAND FUNERAL HOME, 55 East Schrock Road, Westerville, Oh., on Monday evening from 5-7 p.m. A second visitation will be held at the Sharon Woods Baptist Church, 5959 Sharon Woods Blvd., on Tuesday from 10-11 a.m., where a service will follow at 11 a.m. Pastor Brian McCoy officiating. Private interment.