Robert E. Eschenburg

Robert D. Eschenburg, 79, Topeka, died Monday, Sept. 11, 2006 at Brewster Place.

He was born Feb. 21, 1927 in Tecumseh, Nebraska, the son of George and Eva Hall Eschenburg. He was raised in Nebraska, attended Kansas State University and graduated from Washburn University in 1949 with a degree in political science. He received a MS degree in government from Syracuse University.

Bob worked in the research department for the State of Kansas before starting his career with AT&SF Railway, a career which lasted for almost 40 years before retiring in 1989 as General Manager of the Claims Department. He worked in Newton, KS and Amarillo, TX, as well as in Topeka.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church, Washburn Alumni Association, Golden Rule Lodge #90 AF&AM, Scottish Rite Bodies, and Arab Shrine, where he was a member of the Greeters and Legion of Honor units. He also was a member of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity at Washburn and the Topeka Cosmopolitan Club. He also served in the Merchant Marines and later in the US Naval Reserves.

He married Marcella Driscoll in 1952 in Syracuse, New York. She survives.

Other survivors include a son, Marc Eschenburg, The Woodlands, TX; two daughters, Karen Heinrich and Kathy Duvall, both of Lubbock, Texas; six grandchildren, Matthew and Mindy Eschenburg, Kristi and Julie Heinrich, and Erin and Taylor Duvall.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel. Interment will be in Penwell-Gabel Cemetery.

Bob will lie in state after noon today at the funeral home, where the family will receive friends from 7-8 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 837 South Hillside, Wichita 67211, or to Arab Shrine, 1305 South Kansas Ave, Topeka 66612.

To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.PenwellGabel.com.