Memories from Steve Hall

For Eddy

The Eschners and Halls became across-the-street neighbors on Grandview Drive in Fullerton, California in the 1950's. Four Eschner kids, six Halls. Thru the years, a closeness, a loving bond between the two families has formed and I feel deeply the death of Eddy Eschner.

The Eschner family house where Eddy grew up backs up to what is locally called, "The Gully": a verdant, unspoiled natural park of several acres replete with majestic oak trees, native grasses and even a creek. It was there that all the neighborhood kids played 'til the sun went down having dirt clod fights, digging for trap-door spiders and endlessly "messing around" within this unique oasis that had been left in its natural state as if suspended in time amid a suburban southern California neighborhood.

Eddy was several years my junior so our paths never crossed playing in the gully, but I'll bet you a dollar to a dough nut that some of Eddy's love of the earth and its creatures came from his carefree days in the gully exploring the grass green, oak-tree-brown and mustard yellow expanse of his "back yard."

Over the years, thru the Eschner/Hall grapevine, I'd hear of Eddy's milestones...his move to Nevada, his marriage, his children, his Masters degree, his teaching position. And whenever I heard an Eddy update I'd always think, "There's someone living a good life, doing his thing, earning a good living in his chosen field."

And when I'd see Eddy at the occasional Christmas Day visit to the Eschners, I remember well his smiling, bearded face and the ever-present twinkle in his eye.

And that twinkle was there the last time I saw Eddy in May of this year. Though somewhat hobbled by the effects of the brain tumor, his special zest for living was readily apparent as we shared a hug.

I count myself lucky to be a part of the Eschner/Hall "family" and I'm proud to have walked the same gully and the same earth as Eddy Eschner.


Steve Hall. Nov. 13, 2007