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Donald David Eshoff

1930 - 2013

Donald David Eshoff obituary, 1930-2013, Salinas, CA

FUNERAL HOME

Struve and Laporte Funeral Chapel

41 W. San Luis Street

Salinas, California

Donald Eshoff Obituary

Salinas

Donald David Eshoff

Donald David Eshoff was born November 10, 1930 and passed away Thursday, October 3, 2013.

For the 45 years he lived in Monterey County, Don Eshoff shared his gifts with the community as an educator and a musician. He played his last concert on the Fourth of July 2013, at the age of 82.

Born in Los Angeles, the trajectory of his life was set at age 7, when his Russian grandmother insisted he take music lessons. Since his father was a bugler in World War I, he decided to try the trumpet. Extraordinarily talented, by the age of 9 he was playing under conductors Arturo Toscanini, Leopold Stokowski and others, in the renowned Meremblum's Youth Orchestra. At age 12, he was playing professionally in area jazz clubs and as a 14 year old, he lied about his age to join the musician's union so that he could play in symphonies and movie studio orchestras.

He attended the University of Southern California, earning a B.A. in Music Education and later an M.A. in Educational Administration. In 1953, he married his high school sweetheart, Beverly, and they had four children, Mike, Mark, Melinda, and Marty.

In 1968, the Eshoff family moved to Monterey County where Don served for 20 years as an elementary school principal and director of music education for the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District. In addition, he played principal trumpet for the Monterey County and Monterey Bay Symphonies. He played regularly with the Pacific Brass, the Monterey Brass Quintet, the Camerata Singers, I Cantori, and many other ensembles, including summer festival orchestras in Bear Valley and Sunriver, Oregon. For 20 years he led the California Rodeo Band, and in 1987, he was chosen as the soloist for Pope John Paul's historic visit to the Carmel Mission. He owned and operated "Music Unlimited," providing a variety of entertainment to numerous venues throughout Monterey County, including the Monterey Peninsula Country Club, The Naval Postgraduate School, and the Beach and Tennis Club at the Lodge at Pebble Beach. He and his business partner developed unique trumpet and clarinet stands that have been sold worldwide.

A man of deep faith in Jesus Christ, he served as an elder and choir director in Presbyterian Churches in Inglewood and Salinas. He and his family were active at First Presbyterian Church, Salinas. He also attended Northminster Presbyterian Church, Salinas and The Church in the Forest, Pebble Beach.

After his 49 year marriage to Beverly ended with her death in 2002, he married Shirley Kirkpatrick with whom he enjoyed traveling and his last years of retirement. He is survived by Shirley; his four children, their spouses and 12 grandchildren.

Services will be held Sunday, October 13 at 3:00 p.m., at The Church in the Forest, 3152 Forest Lake Road, Pebble Beach.

Contributions in his honor may be made to the Monterey County Pops!, P. O. Box 3352, Monterey, CA 93942.

Funeral arrangements by Struve and Laporte Funeral Home. Online condolences to www.struveandlaporte.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Salinas Californian from Oct. 8 to Oct. 9, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
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October 11, 2013

My thoughts and prayers are with you. please know that we always enjoyed the many times you dined with us as we always thought you were the most elegant couple. blessings,
Chris Shake and the entire staff at the Grotto.

Irma Magdayao

October 11, 2013

Thoughts & prayers to the Eshoff Family. I remember him as the principal at Del Monte School in the early 70's...what a kind man he was!

Mary May Vereen

October 10, 2013

Dear Eshoff Family, my warm thoughts go out to each of you. He was such a GOOD man, father, friend, musician, and always had a smile for everyone. May our good Lord be with you in this difficult time. My love to each of you,
Mary May

Peter Tuff

October 9, 2013

A wonderful trumpet player and man! I remember hearing Don play at Symphony and many other concerts while growing up in Salinas. It was a joy and an honor to work with him professionally several times these last few years, and also to see him and Shirley frequently around town in Carmel. Don, you're missed down here, but we'll see you soon on the other side.

Rebecca Bishop

October 8, 2013

I remember Mr. Eshoff with great affection from the days at Del Monte School. Not only was he our principal, but he played in the symphony. When our fourth grade class went to see and hear him play in "Peter and the Wolf," I remember thinking, "That's my principal!" I felt proud to know him.

AnnMarie Pfeifer

October 8, 2013

Mr. Eshoff was my principal WAY back. I have fond memories of him, but thankfully I never had to meet with him in "the principals office". May your memories bring you comfort. He will be missed.

Paul Jensen

October 8, 2013

A man I always admired. Taught me how to water ski and wrote a special arrangement for trumpet and guitar for "Jesu joy of mans desiring" to play at my wedding! Many happy memories of Don and his family! He will be missed.

Don playing with the Pops! - July 4, 2013.

Carl Christensen

October 8, 2013

Don was a wonderful person, friend, and musician. It was an honor and pleasure to make music with him for so many years. This is a photo of him taken at the Monterey County Pops! performance in Spreckels on July 4, 2013.

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Funeral services provided by:

Struve and Laporte Funeral Chapel

41 W. San Luis Street, Salinas, CA 93901

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