Remembering Dad

Dad passed peacefully in his sleep the morning of May the First, 2022.

What one, of any infinite number of lessons I could possibly share from Dad's life might be worth sharing today?

Live every day, planning for all the projects that can make life "any better." From the mundane to the impossible, from breakfast with friends, to cruises with those you love, to 21-day recovery plans--live your life with love so that if it were any better, you couldn't stand it.

Instead of a traditional funeral, we held a simple Celebration of Life.  Friends and family shared some beautiful comments, but many others were not able to attend.  Sadly, the ceremony was not recorded.  I am compiling this post to share the typed words and notes from the ceremony, and including the two videos we do have.

Thank you for your love, and prayers, and for sharing with us in this time of grief.  While we're saddened that he is gone, we know he is breathing easy with Jesus, and we will see him again.

Raymond Robert "Bob" Eskuchen

Obituary
Comments from Band of Brothers (BOB) Ministries - Etzer, Guy, David
YouTube Playlist:
Family Comments - Martha and Matthew
Songs - In the Garden,  He Touched Me,  What a Day That Will Be,  How Great Thou Art
Tribute Video (will add to the YouTube playlist when I get home)

Obituary for Bob Eskuchen 

Raymond Robert “Bob” Eskuchen, born in Philadelphia, PA on July 4, 1942 went to be with his Jesus on May 1, 2022. He was a firecracker all his life!

Bob was raised in Franklinville, New Jersey, and moved to South Florida in the early 1970s. He graduated from Palm Beach Atlantic College in 1990. Bob retired after 20 years as Superintendent of Palm Beach County Water Utilities and moved to Marianna, Florida in 2005.

He was an active and loved parishioner of First Assembly of God Marianna. He loved studying and working with the Band of Brothers men’s ministry and reading his Bible. He had a love for food and enjoyed cooking for others. Bob was known for speaking his mind and you never knew what he would say.

Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 36 years, Martha Snedaker Eskuchen; children Matthew Shane Eskuchen and wife, Hui; Heather Raye Eskuchen; Raymond Robert Eskuchen, Jr., and Samantha Rae Eskuchen; loved grandchildren, Daniel Zane Monk, Jozalyn Bailey Eskuchen-Monk, Zaly Shaye Monk, Victoria Joy Eskuchen, Eli Jacob Eskuchen, and Madison Allie Eskuchen; and brother, Richard Eskuchen; and two loving dogs, Bear and Princess.

Bob was preceded in death by his mother, Marjorie Patton Eskuchen, father, Raymond F. Eskuchen, and younger brother, Donald Eskuchen.   

https://www.jamesandsikesfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/Bob-Eskuchen/#!/Obituary

Comments - Band of Brothers (BOB) Ministries

Pastor Etzer, Band of Brothers Ministry in Haiti (via email)

Dear brothers and sisters who were hurt by this separation. Specially his lovely wife. We were shocked and saddened to learn about the depart of our brother, friend, cooker. We imagine your grief must be overwhelming. Please remember that God is here for you. To comfort you. Bob the Godly man. Generous. Man of great heart. Pastor Etzer explained how he remember meeting Bob for the first time at Band of Brothers devotion. Bob was the cooker, he hosted pastor with a special plate. His jokes made him laugh. Wi Wi. And his smile felt him home. Faithful giving man. Band Of Brothers Ministries in Haiti, as he always said, and we knew we could always count on his support to change the lives the kids here and build the kingdom of God. With tears we received this news that Bob went home. We've at so seen Bob best qualities in you.

Job 19:25-26

I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth.
And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God;

John 11:25-26

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life.  The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whosoever lives by believing in me will never die.  Do you believe this?"      (Bob did believe this)

1 Corinthians 15:20-22

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.  For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.  For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

Thus, We will see our friend our brother. Wishing you courage, strength. You are in our prayers here.
Band Of Brothers Ministry in Haiti.

Guy T. - Band of Brothers Ministry (via email)

'Bob Robert' or 'Crazy Bob' as he was also affectionately referred to, what a guy!!!
Bob was a man of great love and he had many loves. He loved God Martha, his children, grandchildren, church family, his country and the Band of Brothers.
Loved music and sang in our church choir. Loved the Oldies and could recall artists name and where he was at when he first heard a song.
Loved the Holy Land Experience in Orlando. Went on 2 trips with BOBs. On one of those trips he entertained us by singing all the oldie songs that were being played while we returned home.
Loved studying the Bible and researching the geography and history related to events recorded in the Bible. He would sometimes bring us copies of maps or other material related to our Bible reading for that previous week.
He Loved slams especially. He loved serving lunch to the residents at Chipola Apts. He loved the residents and loved cutting up with them

David B. (officiating)

Bob
Martha said "Firecracker" - born on the 4th of July.
Another way of saying this is he was a character.
No need to wonder what Bob was thinking - it was coming out of his mouth. You did not ask him if a certain color makes you look bigger - he would be honest!
He had a unique vocabulary -- Facebook was "Spacebook" -- Etzer was "Ester"
Bob was a worker:

• Ministry included teaching a teen Sunday School class
• "Live" Weekend events with Becky and Russell
• Comments on Facebook - start "Hi, my name is Bob" and everyone would respond, "Hi Bob"
• If Bob frequented an establishment - everyone knew Bob.
• Dr. Gay's office - 2 maybe 3 of the staff know me by name--I have no doubt everyone in his office knows Bob
• You cannot say his name without smiling
• Bob accepted responsibility for cooking on Tuesday mornings when Gary S. was no longer able, and he was faithful until he could do it no longer
• Eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy, breakfast casseroles, waffles, breakfast desserts
• He would take substantial leftovers, or a cake, cookies, flowers to one of the lucky Marianna offices
• Bob would start early on Monday, planning for Tuesday morning. I would arrive around 5 to start on coffee and see one of Bob's Jeeps already here getting breakfast ready
• 14 years in the Band of Brothers
• Bob worked on a number of projects: wheelchair ramps, 8-10 metal roofs on houses and one church

Bob was faithful, caring, and generous.  He loved meeting on Tuesday mornings for Bible study and prayer.  A number of years ago - to focus the discussion - Guy T. gave all of us a One Year NLT Bible.  Each Tuesday we discuss what spoke to us, any special insights, pose questions.  Bob recently said this truly Changed his life.  Bob's Bible has color-coded notes for each year dating back to 2008, and it is so worn, he had to tape it back together and make his own cover.

Martha - Bob was so proud of you.  As with me - Bob truly married up.  Just last week Bob told me something Martha said - so wise.  Martha said "Prayer - is talking to God. Reading and studying the Bible - is God speaking to us."  This really spoke to me.

Psalms 119:105    Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Psalms 119:11    Your word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee.
Psalms 1:1-2

Blessed is the one
   who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
   or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
   and who meditates on his law day and night.

God's word was in Bob's heart.  Therefore God came pouring from Bob's mouth.  Bob was not an undercover Christian.  If you met Bob, you knew he was a Christian.  He was a tremendous and continual witness.

You have probably heard, "Live your life so the preacher does not have to lie at your funeral."  Bob did so much better - he lived his life and his works preached his own funeral.

2 Timothy 4

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.  And now the prize awaits me--the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return.  And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.

That is for you and me today.  Bob would want me to tell you - we know where Bob is today - Jesus is a way - he is the only way. Bob loved the BOBs, he loved you dearly Martha - Matthew, Heather - grandkids.

Bob was not just a church member here, he was my friend.  Thank you for sharing Bob with us.

YouTube Playlist

Family Comments - Martha and Matthew

(I am extremely grateful for the individual who thought quickly enough to film this--but that doesn't mean I have to like the portrait orientation...)

 

(You can launch YouTube here if the playlist does not embed properly) 

Songs

Alecia did an amazing job singing these songs and I'm so sad we didn't capture the events of that day.  Over the holidays, Dad was sharing Mark Lowry and Gaither videos with me, so I picked a couple of their renditions of the songs Alecia sang for Dad.

I remember Dad singing some of these songs in church when I was young and I even went digging for old VHS tapes to see if I could find any of his performances. Hopefully, one day, we'll find them.

Tribute Video

Thank you to the James and Sikes Funeral Home for their services and support behind the scenes.
Thank you to the BOBs and all who have fed and cared for us these past two weeks.
A huge thank you to David for officiating the ceremony--I can't begin to express my gratitude.

And thank you to you--all our friends and family who share these treasured memories with us.