Final Salute

Birth: 1925

Death: 2024

Andrew Herbert Eschenfelder passed away at 99 years old on November 1, 2024 in Saratoga, California, due to complications from multiple myeloma.

Andrew was born in Newark, New Jersey on June 13, 1925, to Andrew Frank and Grace Helen (Griffith) Eschenfelder. “Andy” was the eldest of three siblings, joined by his sister, Grace Mary (Leslie), and his brother, John “Jackie” (deceased). After serving in the New Jersey State Guard and graduating from Glen Ridge High School in 1943, Andy joined the United States Naval Construction Battalions (Seabees) in October 1943, and was deployed to the South Pacific. While in the Service, Andy contributed to the building of the airstrip on the island of Tinian during WWII, and was honorably discharged after the war in 1946. Andy attended Rutgers University, was an active member and officer of the Chi Psi fraternity, and earned his PhD in Physics in 1952. At Rutgers, Andy met who would soon become his wife, Jean Rayanna (Carlough). The two created a loving family with two children, Thomas Andrew (deceased) and Susan Jean (Hall).

Andy and his budding family moved to California in 1967 when he became the Director of Research at the IBM laboratory in San Jose. The Eschenfelders became members of Saratoga Federated Church and have attended the church through multiple generations for the last 56 years. After retiring from IBM in 1981, Andy became the Pastoral Administrator to Pastor Stanley Johnson (who remained his best friend to the day he died). Andy played significant roles within many technical enterprises in his life, including as President of the California Institute of Medical Research in San Jose.

Andy had a love for playing golf, traveling the world, listening to and singing along with music, and many roles at SFC, including President of the Elders, Men’s Choir, small groups, and he created the Century Club (a support group for those who are the age of 90 and above). His biggest joy – and what he viewed as his life’s greatest legacy – was composing research papers on topics ranging from theology to technology. He wrote hundreds of papers in physics and philosophy, and was the author of two books, Magnetic Bubble Technology (1980) and Living Intentionally (1999). The enduring theme to Andy’s life and most of his major works were focused on Contentment.

Toward the end of his life, Andy had 24-hour in-home care from Becky and Raquel through Familiar Surroundings Home Care. They served him warmly and faithfully for three and a half years until his passing. Andy’s family are grateful to them, and strongly recommend Familiar Surroundings to anyone in the twilight years of life. The family is also grateful to Sutter Care at Home, whose nurses, chaplain, social workers, and committed volunteers were comforting and supportive through the end.

Andy was predeceased by his brother, Jackie (1938); his mother, Grace (1951); his father, Andrew (1984); his wife, Jean (2012, after 66 years of marriage); and his son, Tom (2020). Andy is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Timothy Hall; his daughter-in-law, Joan Eschenfelder; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

The Celebration of Andy’s Life will be held on Sunday, January 12, 2025 at 2:00pm at Saratoga Federated Church, 20390 Park Place, Saratoga. If you would like to make a donation in honor of Andy, please consider donating to Saratoga Federated Church or to Sutter Care at Home.