Robert Lee "R.L" Eschenburg II, a longtime resident of Floresville, Texas, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008, at 1:20 a.m. in his residence in Floresville, at the age of 78 years, 3 months, and 19 days.
R. L. was born to Carl R. and Janie Bell Eschenburg on Aug. 28, 1930, in Floresville. After graduation from Floresville High School, R. L. received his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Texas at Austin in 1952. He received his law degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas in 1967. R. L. was a retired state district judge and a former county judge and local attorney.
R. L. married Barbara Draper on Oct. 6, 1956, in Austin. Barbara, R. L.'s wife of over 38 years, preceded R. L. in death on Dec. 26, 1994. R. L. was a very active member of the First Baptist Church in Floresville, and served as ombudsman with the Floresville Nursing Center for many years, where he actively and frequently interacted with the residents. R. L. was a member of the Floresville Lions Club and the Texas Bar Association.
R. L. is survived by his children, Robert Lee Eschenburg III and wife Cindy of Houston, and Elizabeth Blessing Hanawalt and husband Steve of Austin; his grandchildren, Melissa Faye Eschenburg of Houston and Robert Lee Eschenburg IV of Houston; his brother and sister, Carl Robert Eschenburg Jr., of Floresville and Martha Jane Russell and husband Virgil of Austin; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held Thursday, Dec. 18, from 6-8 p.m. in the Vinyard Funeral Home Chapel in Floresville.
A funeral service was held Friday at 2 p.m. in the First Baptist Church in Floresville, officiated by Brother Mike Clements.
Interment followed in the Floresville City Cemetery in Floresville.
Serving as pallbearers were David Strozier, James Strozier, Scott Strozier, Mel Eckhoft, Chris Eckhoft, and Michael Means.
Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, San Antonio Texas Office, 8610 N. New Braunfels, Ste. 400, San Antonio, TX 78217.
Share your memories or tributes at
R.L. Eschenburg II, Government Leader
State of Texas Senior District Judge
The following is an interview by a Floresville Independent School District student, David W., which appears on the school district's Web site.
Robert L. Eschenburg II, state of Texas Senior District Judge, was born and raised in Floresville, Texas. He graduated from Floresville High School. His parents were Carl and Janie Bell Eschenburg. He has degrees in law and engineering and was influenced most by his mother, Janie Eschenburg, and grandfather, Robert L. Eschenburg.
In 1972, he was concerned with some of the decisions that the Board of Trustees of the Floresville Independent School District had made, so he ran for a place on the board and won. He felt he could help make needed changes in the schools and that the new Board of Trustees would be more sensitive to the needs of the students and the concerns of the parents.
In 1975, he was elected Wilson County Judge. At that time there was only one District Judge for a five county district, comprising Atascosa, Frio, Karnes, LaSalle, and Wilson Counties. In 1977, the Texas Legislature authorized a second district court for the five county district. He was appointed by Texas Governor Dolph Briscoe and approved by Senator John Traeger of Seguin as judge of the newly created 218th District Court and took oath of office on April 1, 1977. He served as Judge of the 218th District Court until he lost the election of 1989 and left the bench on December 31, 1990.
He immediately started service as a visiting judge and became available for assignments to County and District Courts in Texas. Because he is now retired, he is called a Senior District Judge. He has held court in many cities outside of his district, including San Antonio, Houston, Brownsville, Laredo, Seguin, Cuero, Boerne, New Braunfels, George West, Sinton, Rockport, Eagle Pass, Del Rio, Victoria, Alice, Edinburg, Corpus Christi, Beeville, Austin, Crystal City, Carrizo Springs, Zapata, and Gonzales. In January of 1991, he joined the law firm of Soules and Wallace and has remained with them.
The qualities he feels you need to become a judge or a good leader are:
•First and foremost, a good leader must be honest and straightforward in all of his dealings and do everything with integrity.
•A good leader must also be a good listener, not just hearing the words spoken but understanding what the speaker means.
•If a good leader does not know an answer, there is no defect of character in asking others more experienced or more wise for advice.
•A good leader must have a strong concept of biblical right and wrong and do what he feels God would have him do even if the decision is unpopular.
•A good leader must never separate himself from the people he serves, so that he becomes insensitive to their needs.
Mr. Eschenburg, now 70 years of age, has served as a judge for 28 years and has been able to see how our civil and criminal justice systems operate and to see the flaws. He has heard approximately 10,000 cases. Even though being a judge involves a lot of pressure, the thing he likes about being a judge is that he has benefited by working with many hard-working and honest public figures and public employees through the years. He also feels he was helping people and serving the public. He likes to interact with people and really enjoys helping people. He hopes that people think that he has done his best and was honest.
He feels his job has contributed to the community because no society can operate without the rule of the law. As is true of every system devised by man, these systems don't always furnish society with justice. However, compared with justice systems in all other countries, our systems are much more just than all others. Justice can't occur without judges to help apply the law to different situations.
The greatest change he has seen in courts is the number of judges has doubled, and there's more crime and lawsuits. He feels the drug problem is so much worse since he became judge, and there are so many more divorces and single-parent homes. If he could do one thing to better the community, he would take away all the illegal drugs.
Mr. Eschenburg enjoys physical work during his free time to relax him, since being a judge has a lot of mental stress. He enjoys Nat King Cole and Barbra Streisand, and the History and Discovery channels.
He feels one way students can get involved in the community is by visiting people in the nursing home. He feels this is a good place to start because there are
so many people that never get visitors.
Advice he has for future leaders is:
•Obtain as much education as possible. A good combination is a Liberal Arts Degree and a Master in Business or Engineering, or a degree in the profession that he loves, Law. These degrees will equip a person to enter the public or private sector.
•Do volunteer community work to ascertain if he really wants to serve others, for the public sector does not pay nearly as well as the same position in industry.
•If you are fortunate when you have your first job, you will be given a mentor, a more experienced person who will guide and train you. Learn as much as you can from him, and never stop learning, for technology is advancing at such a fast pace that you have to stay current in your field.
He does not compare himself with any famous leader. However, he most admires and respects Jesus Christ as the ultimate servant. Jesus really cared for and loved people and gave His life on the cross for them. If Mr. Eschenburg could make the world a better place, he would convince everyone that Jesus is real, and there will be no peace until He comes again.
R. L. was born to Carl R. and Janie Bell Eschenburg on Aug. 28, 1930, in Floresville. After graduation from Floresville High School, R. L. received his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Texas at Austin in 1952. He received his law degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas in 1967. R. L. was a retired state district judge and a former county judge and local attorney.
R. L. married Barbara Draper on Oct. 6, 1956, in Austin. Barbara, R. L.'s wife of over 38 years, preceded R. L. in death on Dec. 26, 1994. R. L. was a very active member of the First Baptist Church in Floresville, and served as ombudsman with the Floresville Nursing Center for many years, where he actively and frequently interacted with the residents. R. L. was a member of the Floresville Lions Club and the Texas Bar Association.
R. L. is survived by his children, Robert Lee Eschenburg III and wife Cindy of Houston, and Elizabeth Blessing Hanawalt and husband Steve of Austin; his grandchildren, Melissa Faye Eschenburg of Houston and Robert Lee Eschenburg IV of Houston; his brother and sister, Carl Robert Eschenburg Jr., of Floresville and Martha Jane Russell and husband Virgil of Austin; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held Thursday, Dec. 18, from 6-8 p.m. in the Vinyard Funeral Home Chapel in Floresville.
A funeral service was held Friday at 2 p.m. in the First Baptist Church in Floresville, officiated by Brother Mike Clements.
Interment followed in the Floresville City Cemetery in Floresville.
Serving as pallbearers were David Strozier, James Strozier, Scott Strozier, Mel Eckhoft, Chris Eckhoft, and Michael Means.
Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, San Antonio Texas Office, 8610 N. New Braunfels, Ste. 400, San Antonio, TX 78217.
Share your memories or tributes at
R.L. Eschenburg II, Government Leader
State of Texas Senior District Judge
The following is an interview by a Floresville Independent School District student, David W., which appears on the school district's Web site.
Robert L. Eschenburg II, state of Texas Senior District Judge, was born and raised in Floresville, Texas. He graduated from Floresville High School. His parents were Carl and Janie Bell Eschenburg. He has degrees in law and engineering and was influenced most by his mother, Janie Eschenburg, and grandfather, Robert L. Eschenburg.
In 1972, he was concerned with some of the decisions that the Board of Trustees of the Floresville Independent School District had made, so he ran for a place on the board and won. He felt he could help make needed changes in the schools and that the new Board of Trustees would be more sensitive to the needs of the students and the concerns of the parents.
In 1975, he was elected Wilson County Judge. At that time there was only one District Judge for a five county district, comprising Atascosa, Frio, Karnes, LaSalle, and Wilson Counties. In 1977, the Texas Legislature authorized a second district court for the five county district. He was appointed by Texas Governor Dolph Briscoe and approved by Senator John Traeger of Seguin as judge of the newly created 218th District Court and took oath of office on April 1, 1977. He served as Judge of the 218th District Court until he lost the election of 1989 and left the bench on December 31, 1990.
He immediately started service as a visiting judge and became available for assignments to County and District Courts in Texas. Because he is now retired, he is called a Senior District Judge. He has held court in many cities outside of his district, including San Antonio, Houston, Brownsville, Laredo, Seguin, Cuero, Boerne, New Braunfels, George West, Sinton, Rockport, Eagle Pass, Del Rio, Victoria, Alice, Edinburg, Corpus Christi, Beeville, Austin, Crystal City, Carrizo Springs, Zapata, and Gonzales. In January of 1991, he joined the law firm of Soules and Wallace and has remained with them.
The qualities he feels you need to become a judge or a good leader are:
•First and foremost, a good leader must be honest and straightforward in all of his dealings and do everything with integrity.
•A good leader must also be a good listener, not just hearing the words spoken but understanding what the speaker means.
•If a good leader does not know an answer, there is no defect of character in asking others more experienced or more wise for advice.
•A good leader must have a strong concept of biblical right and wrong and do what he feels God would have him do even if the decision is unpopular.
•A good leader must never separate himself from the people he serves, so that he becomes insensitive to their needs.
Mr. Eschenburg, now 70 years of age, has served as a judge for 28 years and has been able to see how our civil and criminal justice systems operate and to see the flaws. He has heard approximately 10,000 cases. Even though being a judge involves a lot of pressure, the thing he likes about being a judge is that he has benefited by working with many hard-working and honest public figures and public employees through the years. He also feels he was helping people and serving the public. He likes to interact with people and really enjoys helping people. He hopes that people think that he has done his best and was honest.
He feels his job has contributed to the community because no society can operate without the rule of the law. As is true of every system devised by man, these systems don't always furnish society with justice. However, compared with justice systems in all other countries, our systems are much more just than all others. Justice can't occur without judges to help apply the law to different situations.
The greatest change he has seen in courts is the number of judges has doubled, and there's more crime and lawsuits. He feels the drug problem is so much worse since he became judge, and there are so many more divorces and single-parent homes. If he could do one thing to better the community, he would take away all the illegal drugs.
Mr. Eschenburg enjoys physical work during his free time to relax him, since being a judge has a lot of mental stress. He enjoys Nat King Cole and Barbra Streisand, and the History and Discovery channels.
He feels one way students can get involved in the community is by visiting people in the nursing home. He feels this is a good place to start because there are
so many people that never get visitors.
Advice he has for future leaders is:
•Obtain as much education as possible. A good combination is a Liberal Arts Degree and a Master in Business or Engineering, or a degree in the profession that he loves, Law. These degrees will equip a person to enter the public or private sector.
•Do volunteer community work to ascertain if he really wants to serve others, for the public sector does not pay nearly as well as the same position in industry.
•If you are fortunate when you have your first job, you will be given a mentor, a more experienced person who will guide and train you. Learn as much as you can from him, and never stop learning, for technology is advancing at such a fast pace that you have to stay current in your field.
He does not compare himself with any famous leader. However, he most admires and respects Jesus Christ as the ultimate servant. Jesus really cared for and loved people and gave His life on the cross for them. If Mr. Eschenburg could make the world a better place, he would convince everyone that Jesus is real, and there will be no peace until He comes again.
Robert Lee "R.L" Eschenburg II, a longtime resident of Floresville, Texas, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008, at 1:20 a.m. in his residence in Floresville, at the age of 78 years, 3 months, and 19 days.
R. L. was born to Carl R. and Janie Bell Eschenburg on Aug. 28, 1930, in Floresville. After graduation from Floresville High School, R. L. received his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Texas at Austin in 1952. He received his law degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas in 1967. R. L. was a retired state district judge and a former county judge and local attorney.
R. L. married Barbara Draper on Oct. 6, 1956, in Austin. Barbara, R. L.'s wife of over 38 years, preceded R. L. in death on Dec. 26, 1994. R. L. was a very active member of the First Baptist Church in Floresville, and served as ombudsman with the Floresville Nursing Center for many years, where he actively and frequently interacted with the residents. R. L. was a member of the Floresville Lions Club and the Texas Bar Association.
R. L. is survived by his children, Robert Lee Eschenburg III and wife Cindy of Houston, and Elizabeth Blessing Hanawalt and husband Steve of Austin; his grandchildren, Melissa Faye Eschenburg of Houston and Robert Lee Eschenburg IV of Houston; his brother and sister, Carl Robert Eschenburg Jr., of Floresville and Martha Jane Russell and husband Virgil of Austin; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held Thursday, Dec. 18, from 6-8 p.m. in the Vinyard Funeral Home Chapel in Floresville.
A funeral service was held Friday at 2 p.m. in the First Baptist Church in Floresville, officiated by Brother Mike Clements.
Interment followed in the Floresville City Cemetery in Floresville.
Serving as pallbearers were David Strozier, James Strozier, Scott Strozier, Mel Eckhoft, Chris Eckhoft, and Michael Means.
Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, San Antonio Texas Office, 8610 N. New Braunfels, Ste. 400, San Antonio, TX 78217.
Share your memories or tributes at
R.L. Eschenburg II, Government Leader
State of Texas Senior District Judge
The following is an interview by a Floresville Independent School District student, David W., which appears on the school district's Web site.
Robert L. Eschenburg II, state of Texas Senior District Judge, was born and raised in Floresville, Texas. He graduated from Floresville High School. His parents were Carl and Janie Bell Eschenburg. He has degrees in law and engineering and was influenced most by his mother, Janie Eschenburg, and grandfather, Robert L. Eschenburg.
In 1972, he was concerned with some of the decisions that the Board of Trustees of the Floresville Independent School District had made, so he ran for a place on the board and won. He felt he could help make needed changes in the schools and that the new Board of Trustees would be more sensitive to the needs of the students and the concerns of the parents.
In 1975, he was elected Wilson County Judge. At that time there was only one District Judge for a five county district, comprising Atascosa, Frio, Karnes, LaSalle, and Wilson Counties. In 1977, the Texas Legislature authorized a second district court for the five county district. He was appointed by Texas Governor Dolph Briscoe and approved by Senator John Traeger of Seguin as judge of the newly created 218th District Court and took oath of office on April 1, 1977. He served as Judge of the 218th District Court until he lost the election of 1989 and left the bench on December 31, 1990.
He immediately started service as a visiting judge and became available for assignments to County and District Courts in Texas. Because he is now retired, he is called a Senior District Judge. He has held court in many cities outside of his district, including San Antonio, Houston, Brownsville, Laredo, Seguin, Cuero, Boerne, New Braunfels, George West, Sinton, Rockport, Eagle Pass, Del Rio, Victoria, Alice, Edinburg, Corpus Christi, Beeville, Austin, Crystal City, Carrizo Springs, Zapata, and Gonzales. In January of 1991, he joined the law firm of Soules and Wallace and has remained with them.
The qualities he feels you need to become a judge or a good leader are:
•First and foremost, a good leader must be honest and straightforward in all of his dealings and do everything with integrity.
•A good leader must also be a good listener, not just hearing the words spoken but understanding what the speaker means.
•If a good leader does not know an answer, there is no defect of character in asking others more experienced or more wise for advice.
•A good leader must have a strong concept of biblical right and wrong and do what he feels God would have him do even if the decision is unpopular.
•A good leader must never separate himself from the people he serves, so that he becomes insensitive to their needs.
Mr. Eschenburg, now 70 years of age, has served as a judge for 28 years and has been able to see how our civil and criminal justice systems operate and to see the flaws. He has heard approximately 10,000 cases. Even though being a judge involves a lot of pressure, the thing he likes about being a judge is that he has benefited by working with many hard-working and honest public figures and public employees through the years. He also feels he was helping people and serving the public. He likes to interact with people and really enjoys helping people. He hopes that people think that he has done his best and was honest.
He feels his job has contributed to the community because no society can operate without the rule of the law. As is true of every system devised by man, these systems don't always furnish society with justice. However, compared with justice systems in all other countries, our systems are much more just than all others. Justice can't occur without judges to help apply the law to different situations.
The greatest change he has seen in courts is the number of judges has doubled, and there's more crime and lawsuits. He feels the drug problem is so much worse since he became judge, and there are so many more divorces and single-parent homes. If he could do one thing to better the community, he would take away all the illegal drugs.
Mr. Eschenburg enjoys physical work during his free time to relax him, since being a judge has a lot of mental stress. He enjoys Nat King Cole and Barbra Streisand, and the History and Discovery channels.
He feels one way students can get involved in the community is by visiting people in the nursing home. He feels this is a good place to start because there are
so many people that never get visitors.
Advice he has for future leaders is:
•Obtain as much education as possible. A good combination is a Liberal Arts Degree and a Master in Business or Engineering, or a degree in the profession that he loves, Law. These degrees will equip a person to enter the public or private sector.
•Do volunteer community work to ascertain if he really wants to serve others, for the public sector does not pay nearly as well as the same position in industry.
•If you are fortunate when you have your first job, you will be given a mentor, a more experienced person who will guide and train you. Learn as much as you can from him, and never stop learning, for technology is advancing at such a fast pace that you have to stay current in your field.
He does not compare himself with any famous leader. However, he most admires and respects Jesus Christ as the ultimate servant. Jesus really cared for and loved people and gave His life on the cross for them. If Mr. Eschenburg could make the world a better place, he would convince everyone that Jesus is real, and there will be no peace until He comes again.
R. L. was born to Carl R. and Janie Bell Eschenburg on Aug. 28, 1930, in Floresville. After graduation from Floresville High School, R. L. received his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Texas at Austin in 1952. He received his law degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas in 1967. R. L. was a retired state district judge and a former county judge and local attorney.
R. L. married Barbara Draper on Oct. 6, 1956, in Austin. Barbara, R. L.'s wife of over 38 years, preceded R. L. in death on Dec. 26, 1994. R. L. was a very active member of the First Baptist Church in Floresville, and served as ombudsman with the Floresville Nursing Center for many years, where he actively and frequently interacted with the residents. R. L. was a member of the Floresville Lions Club and the Texas Bar Association.
R. L. is survived by his children, Robert Lee Eschenburg III and wife Cindy of Houston, and Elizabeth Blessing Hanawalt and husband Steve of Austin; his grandchildren, Melissa Faye Eschenburg of Houston and Robert Lee Eschenburg IV of Houston; his brother and sister, Carl Robert Eschenburg Jr., of Floresville and Martha Jane Russell and husband Virgil of Austin; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held Thursday, Dec. 18, from 6-8 p.m. in the Vinyard Funeral Home Chapel in Floresville.
A funeral service was held Friday at 2 p.m. in the First Baptist Church in Floresville, officiated by Brother Mike Clements.
Interment followed in the Floresville City Cemetery in Floresville.
Serving as pallbearers were David Strozier, James Strozier, Scott Strozier, Mel Eckhoft, Chris Eckhoft, and Michael Means.
Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, San Antonio Texas Office, 8610 N. New Braunfels, Ste. 400, San Antonio, TX 78217.
Share your memories or tributes at
R.L. Eschenburg II, Government Leader
State of Texas Senior District Judge
The following is an interview by a Floresville Independent School District student, David W., which appears on the school district's Web site.
Robert L. Eschenburg II, state of Texas Senior District Judge, was born and raised in Floresville, Texas. He graduated from Floresville High School. His parents were Carl and Janie Bell Eschenburg. He has degrees in law and engineering and was influenced most by his mother, Janie Eschenburg, and grandfather, Robert L. Eschenburg.
In 1972, he was concerned with some of the decisions that the Board of Trustees of the Floresville Independent School District had made, so he ran for a place on the board and won. He felt he could help make needed changes in the schools and that the new Board of Trustees would be more sensitive to the needs of the students and the concerns of the parents.
In 1975, he was elected Wilson County Judge. At that time there was only one District Judge for a five county district, comprising Atascosa, Frio, Karnes, LaSalle, and Wilson Counties. In 1977, the Texas Legislature authorized a second district court for the five county district. He was appointed by Texas Governor Dolph Briscoe and approved by Senator John Traeger of Seguin as judge of the newly created 218th District Court and took oath of office on April 1, 1977. He served as Judge of the 218th District Court until he lost the election of 1989 and left the bench on December 31, 1990.
He immediately started service as a visiting judge and became available for assignments to County and District Courts in Texas. Because he is now retired, he is called a Senior District Judge. He has held court in many cities outside of his district, including San Antonio, Houston, Brownsville, Laredo, Seguin, Cuero, Boerne, New Braunfels, George West, Sinton, Rockport, Eagle Pass, Del Rio, Victoria, Alice, Edinburg, Corpus Christi, Beeville, Austin, Crystal City, Carrizo Springs, Zapata, and Gonzales. In January of 1991, he joined the law firm of Soules and Wallace and has remained with them.
The qualities he feels you need to become a judge or a good leader are:
•First and foremost, a good leader must be honest and straightforward in all of his dealings and do everything with integrity.
•A good leader must also be a good listener, not just hearing the words spoken but understanding what the speaker means.
•If a good leader does not know an answer, there is no defect of character in asking others more experienced or more wise for advice.
•A good leader must have a strong concept of biblical right and wrong and do what he feels God would have him do even if the decision is unpopular.
•A good leader must never separate himself from the people he serves, so that he becomes insensitive to their needs.
Mr. Eschenburg, now 70 years of age, has served as a judge for 28 years and has been able to see how our civil and criminal justice systems operate and to see the flaws. He has heard approximately 10,000 cases. Even though being a judge involves a lot of pressure, the thing he likes about being a judge is that he has benefited by working with many hard-working and honest public figures and public employees through the years. He also feels he was helping people and serving the public. He likes to interact with people and really enjoys helping people. He hopes that people think that he has done his best and was honest.
He feels his job has contributed to the community because no society can operate without the rule of the law. As is true of every system devised by man, these systems don't always furnish society with justice. However, compared with justice systems in all other countries, our systems are much more just than all others. Justice can't occur without judges to help apply the law to different situations.
The greatest change he has seen in courts is the number of judges has doubled, and there's more crime and lawsuits. He feels the drug problem is so much worse since he became judge, and there are so many more divorces and single-parent homes. If he could do one thing to better the community, he would take away all the illegal drugs.
Mr. Eschenburg enjoys physical work during his free time to relax him, since being a judge has a lot of mental stress. He enjoys Nat King Cole and Barbra Streisand, and the History and Discovery channels.
He feels one way students can get involved in the community is by visiting people in the nursing home. He feels this is a good place to start because there are
so many people that never get visitors.
Advice he has for future leaders is:
•Obtain as much education as possible. A good combination is a Liberal Arts Degree and a Master in Business or Engineering, or a degree in the profession that he loves, Law. These degrees will equip a person to enter the public or private sector.
•Do volunteer community work to ascertain if he really wants to serve others, for the public sector does not pay nearly as well as the same position in industry.
•If you are fortunate when you have your first job, you will be given a mentor, a more experienced person who will guide and train you. Learn as much as you can from him, and never stop learning, for technology is advancing at such a fast pace that you have to stay current in your field.
He does not compare himself with any famous leader. However, he most admires and respects Jesus Christ as the ultimate servant. Jesus really cared for and loved people and gave His life on the cross for them. If Mr. Eschenburg could make the world a better place, he would convince everyone that Jesus is real, and there will be no peace until He comes again.
Family Members
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