Our dear son, brother and friend Eric Eshleman departed this sweet earth unexpectedly on Saturday, Oct. 7.
“Esh” grew up in Palo Alto, Calif., roaming and raising havoc on the grounds and environs of Stanford University where his father taught Radio Astronomy. Esh graduated from Palo Alto High School in 1969 claiming to have never done a single homework assignment.
Following his heart, Esh traveled to Nashville and across the country developing his unique artistic abilities as a fine finger pickin’ guitarist and pianist.
Esh moved to South Whidbey in the early ‘80s and assisted in building the Hedgebrook Farm Writers Retreat. He traveled throughout the Northwest playing gigs and jamming with many dear friends in the regional music scene.
His group “Purple Martin” with members Gay Windsor and “Country” Dave Harmonson played beautiful melodies and meaningful lyrics for appreciative friends and audiences. His favorite times playing his guitar were with his beautiful nieces Brittany and Juliana as they sang along on their back porch during his annual trip to visit family in California.
Esh consciously chose a life of simplicity and modesty. He was an ardent, informed and ethical voice of outrage whenever the powerful and wealthy would impose their callousness and greed upon those less fortunate. His finely tuned political antennae were quick to sense and respond to the hypocrisy and cruelty of those who denied the awful impacts of their self-serving actions upon others.
Esh was a life long avid sportsman, a “catch and release” fly fisherman, who looked forward to his annual expeditions along the beautiful mountains and waterways of the West Coast. He was always willing to teach and share his love of the sport with friends and their children. Esh combined his annual fishing expedition with a family visit, often helping his parents take care of and manage their home in California.
Esh will be remembered for his famous humorous imitations of the “Aussie big game hunter” and the “Pakistani confused with values and life in America.”
He will be remembered for his “awful dog Dottie” (who preceded him in death) who bit the cop in Langley back in the ’90s. He’ll be remembered for always asking if we had changed the oil in our cars and trucks. But mostly we will remember Esh as a unique curmudgeon who loved his family and friends, those not as fortunate as he and all kinds of animals (especially his dromedary girlfriend “Monie”).
Esh is survived by his parents Von and Patricia Eshleman, sisters Angela Erickson and Kat Eshleman-Lewis and brother David Eshleman.
Esh, we’ll miss you dear one!
A musical tribute and memorial gathering will be held for Esh from 7 to 10 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5, at the Fiddlers Inn, 9219 – 35th Ave NE, Seattle (206-525-0752). If you want to carpool to Seattle call Richard Epstein at 321-4844. Come share a story about Esh and toast his life.
