San Bernardino County Obituaries

Robert DuBois Escherich

Submitted by Peggy Hooper

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"Big Bear Grizzly"; Wednesday, May 20, 2009

fondly known as Dr. Bob home to be with the Lord on April 27, 2009 at the 
age of 78. Robert was survived by his beloved wife Bonnie Escherich. Bob 
and Bonnie lived in Mesa, Ariz. and were building a second home in Show 
Low, Ariz. He is also survived by his three children: Margaret Escherich 
Mumford of Mesa, Ariz.; Andrew Robert Escherich of Las Vegas, Nev.; and 
Walter Mason Escherich and his wife Anne of Redlands, Calif. Robert is also 
survived by three grandchildren: Mason Craig Escherich, Mitchell Lee 
Mumford, and Michelle Ruth Mumford; and also nieces and nephews he loved 
like his own, including Bill & Billie Escherich of Mesa, Ariz. Robert was born 
on December 7, 1930 in Los Angeles, Calif., and grew up in the Pasadena, 
Calif. area. His parents were Walter J. Escherich and Louise Winder Escherich. 
He had two brothers, William and Walter Escherich, both of whom predeceased 
him. Robert attended Eagle Rock

High School, graduating in 1949. He went on to Pomona College, attaining his 
college degree in pre-med. He joined the Navy in 1953 and served on\ active 
duty as a Lieutenant in the Navy.s Explosive Ordinance Disposal division in 
Washington D.C., and then Pearl Harbor where he was part of their bomb 
disposal team. He met Elinore Ruth Mason on a blind date and the two were 
married on December 16, 1954. Together they had three children mentioned 
above. At the age of 35, after retiring from the Navy and working for a number 
of years in the construction industry, Robert decided to return to school, 
attending the University of Southern California School of Dentistry. He graduated 
and became a dentist, practicing in southern Calif. until his early retirement in 
1989. At that time, Robert and Elinore relocated to Bellingham, Wash. and 
resided there until Elinore's death in 2000. Robert returned briefly to California 
and then moved to Mesa, Ariz. to be closer to family.

In 2004 Robert became reacquainted with an old friend from Big Bear City, Calif. 
Robert and Bonnie Jo Alexander were married on January 29, 2005 and spent a 
short but fabulous 4 years together, ending only upon his unexpected death.

Some of the highlights of Robert's life were several short-term mission

trips to Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico where he worked alongside pastors 
and Bible teachers as he relieved dental pain in thousands of farmers and 
villagers. He was a member of many churches and various clubs, including the 
Shriners, and E. Clampus Vitus. Dr. Bob also took great joy in tutoring elementary 
and high school students in math.

A memorial service and interment of his ashes will be held at the National 
Veteran's Cemetery in Riverside, Calif. on May 29, 2009 at 1:15. In lieu of 
flowers, gifts may be made to Inner City Ministries (P.O. Box 2627, Long 
Beach, CA 90801); Wycliffe Bible Translators (P.O. Box 628200, Orlando, 
FL 32862-87200); or your favorite charity.