Robert “Bob” Edward Eash, August 9, 1948 – April 6, 2024
Bob Eash class of 1966, age 75, of Eagle, MI, passed away unexpectedly on April 6, 2024. The world lost a true legend in Boomer, a man whose vibrant spirit and larger-than-life personality touched the lives of all who knew him. Born on August 9, 1948, Bob enjoyed a life filled with deep friendships, passion, and generosity. Bob was known for his big laugh, his big opinions, and his big heart.
Bob was born in Toledo, Ohio to Owen L. Eash and Evelyn M. Marquardt. He was the second born of four children who moved frequently to follow his father’s career. Eventually, the family landed in Okemos, MI where Bob graduated in 1966. The tales of high jinx from his youth range from delightful to terrifying.
Following in the military commitment path of his father, Bob proudly served his country as a sharpshooter in the Marines.
After a variety of early careers including time in Alaska, Bob began working up the ranks at Michigan State University where he eventually assumed the role of Manager of University Stores. He worked in Stores for several decades. His impact on his employees and how they developed as people was a priority to him, earning Bob the title of “mentor” to many.
Bob enjoyed many things. Among those things were hunting, fishing, shooting guns, driving fast, complaining about road construction, being stubborn, Fireball whiskey, performing acts of kindness, regretting the demise of our Constitutional Republic, setting chowderheads straight, over-peppered pumpkin pie, solving the world’s problems at 5a over coffee, grilling a nice steak, and above all, his family – which includes his friends who became family.
Bob leaves a giant hole in the hearts of his family and friends. He is survived by Thomas J Eash; brother, TJ (Kim) Eash; nephew, Jenna Eash; niece, Jessica (Jeremy) LaMarch; niece, Amy (Jen) Schwarz; niece, and several great nieces and nephews: Cheyenne LaMarch, Noah LaMarch, Halyn Eash, Devyn Schwarz; Annie Eash (who called Bob “Uncle Cool”), Violet LaMarch, and Bruce Schwarz. He also left behind a multitude of friends and colleagues whose lives he touched in profound ways.
He was preceded in death by his parents Owen and Evelyn Eash, sister Sharon Eash, and brother Bruce Eash.
A celebration of Bob's life will be held on Saturday, April 20 at 1:00 pm, 14725 S. Jones Road, Eagle, MI where friends and family will come together to honor his memory, laugh at stories shared, and celebrate the extraordinary man he was.
Memorial donations in Bob’s name can be made to your favorite charity or your favorite watering hole, where we hope you will tell a few tales of the great Bob Eash.
Thank you to Frederic Gifford class of 1966 for notification.
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/lansing-mi/robert-eash-11762814
Frederic Gifford (1966)
Memories of Robert “Bob or Boomer” Eash: Bob was a true friend of mine and many of our other Okemos High School Class of 1966 friends. When our friend Jay Forsburg entered the service, and before he deployed to Vietnam, many of these same friends gathered at Jays parents home on Meridian Road as we unknowingly spent our last days with Jay before his passing. I remember gathering with many of these same friends at Bob’s parents house on Maumee Dr. to remember Jay by walking from Bob’s house across Mt Hope Rd to Glendale Cemetery and Jays grave there. We all said our condolences then poured beer on Jays grave. There were too many more memories to mention but several of our fondest memories were when our “mini OHS Class of 1966” classmates would gather at Bob’s house on Jones Rd in Eagle Michigan, Bob was always happy and gracious and lived in a location that was the shortest central location for the rest of us to travel plus he had lots of space inside and outside. Some of those classmates attending over the years wether the host was me, Bob or Glenna were Bob, myself, Rick Kellicut, Glenna (Fox) Martin, John Eicher, Sharon (Bauer) Kremsreiter, Susan (Dunkelberg) Stack, Randy Durst, Rudy Hornus, Vernita (Gates) Daily, Debbie Carpenter, Greg Hodge, Marsha (Anderson) Myers. I have many, many pictures of these classmates and their spouses on hand. I still think of Bob often and wish he were still with us, he remands sorely missed, a great friend!