Joseph Edward Eschbach

1953 - 2015

Joseph Edward Eschbach
November 7, 1953 - April 13, 2015
Resident of Los Altos Hills
Beloved husband, father, and brother, Joe 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 illness. He was born in Richland, Washington on November 7, 1953 to Mary and Eugene Eschbach. 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 bee-keeping. 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, Elizabeth Eschbach, Katherine Rush (John), Eugenie Ihle (Nathan), and Peter Eschbach; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A funeral mass will be held at Saint Nicholas Catholic Church in Los Altos, California on Monday, April 20 at 10 am. 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).