Donald G. Eggenschwiller, 80, Indian Lake, passed away peacefully on May 31, 2021, at Hospice of Dayton.
If you ask Don about his birth date, he will tell you that he was born at a very early age. He was the Son of Lillian A Eggenschwiller and Charles A Eggenschwiller (both deceased) and a very special brother to Karl Eggenschwiller (deceased) (spouse Connie), Sandra Solanik (deceased) (spouse Larry), Audrie Soward (deceased) spouse Robert (deceased), and Susan Phipps (spouse Darryl).
When Don was a young man of 13 years, the circumstances of his life put him in a position to need to supplement his mother’s income to keep the family with a roof over their head. Every week, when he would collect for his paper route, he would dutifully place his proceeds on the ironing board for his Mother. Don enjoyed telling the story of when he was 14 years old, and how he had an experience that helped to shape the trajectory of his life. The Optimist Club would invite the youth of North Dayton to their facility. While his friends were shooting BB guns and playing ball, Don had been tapped to compete in the Oratorical Contest and was practicing his speech skills. Don won that contest, and it stirred a confidence and passion in public speaking that would be one of the foundations of his work career. He even gained the illustrious nickname of “The Amazing Oratorical Eggenschwiller” from his good friend, Ron Foresee. Don was a loving and generous Brother. While they were still both young, his Sister Susan wanted to go to the High School dance, and Don took her downtown and bought her a brand-new red dress.
Don went on to be the High school booster president of his class at Patterson High School while still maintaining a reputation as a fine motorhead. His first car was a 1943 Buick with no heat and a crank open windshield. Don fell in with a group of Lifetime Friends who shared his love of cars and nature. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing, and gardening. He passed that passion on to his Children, Friends and Family who today still enjoy this gift from Don.
Don set up shop in Dayton as a Printer under the tutelage of his Uncle Harold Eggenschwiller. He was married to his first wife, Joyce Smith, while she was still in High School and he was just graduated. Joyce would often tell the story of how Don would come and get her out of school so they could go out and tour the city together. When Don and Joyce were newly married, they were told they could not have children. That first six years was a difficult time of coming to grips with the fact that would not be able to experience one of life greatest adventures. Don said that he prayed and asked God for a child, and miraculously, they were able to conceive. From there, they did a wonderful job of raising five children, including a bona fide set of triplets.
Don is survived by his children Dale Eggenschwiller, David Eggenschwiller, Mark Eggenschwiller (Kate) and Jill Suttles. He was preceded in death by his Son, Dean Eggenschwiller. Don was active in his Children’s lives as a wonderful mentor and coach, teaching them baseball, golf, mechanics, plumbing, carpentry (sort of), fishing and hunting. One of the greatest gifts he passed along was his Hospitality. It wouldn’t be uncommon to have a house full of teenagers on any given weekend (some his Children and many others not). Don would awaken early in the morning, get a good cup of coffee going, and begin frying bacon. The smell would waft up the stairs and soon the teenagers would rouse. At that point, Don would call up the stairs “how many are there?” and adjust his bacon production accordingly. Don is survived by a wonderful group of Grandchildren: Kiersten Barr (Nick), Brandon Eggenschwiller (Madison), Chelsea Eggenschwiller, Dean Michael Eggenschwiller, Emma Luke (Ken), Reed O’Brien, Lilli Eggenschwiller, Seth Eggenschwiller and Ashley Ball. He also has five lovely Great Grandchildren, Layla Collins, Braxton Barr, Jaxon Barr, Savannah Barr and Maisie Eggenschwiller.
At the start of his young career, Don just couldn’t see himself behind a printer’s bench. With Joyce’s support, he launched into a Criminal Justice degree program at Sinclair Community College. Don worked spare jobs to support his Family during his college years. His work ethic was another great gift that he passed on to others.
Don’s love for his community and his desire to serve hit its full stride as he became a Police Officer with the Kettering Police Department. He served in a number of capacities and had a significant role in the Police Education of many students in the Kettering City School District. Don was also very creative at times in his policing duties. On one occurrence, he was heading to a particularly rowdy disturbance in the early morning hours at a local bar. Don was the only Patrolman on duty that night who could get to the scene, and from the description he was given, he was not exactly sure how he was going to get things under control. At that moment, he just happened to pull up next to his brother Karl and his wife Connie, both returning from an evening of playing cards with friends. Don motioned for Karl to follow him quickly, and off they went. When they arrived ay the scene, the situation was deteriorating. Don jumped out of his cruiser with the service issue shotgun that he had unbolted from the dash. He gave the loaded shotgun to his brother, and his last words before marching headlong into the chaos were “If things get out of hand, use this!” Of course, Karl didn’t have to use the shotgun and Don diplomatically diffused the situation.
Don went on to a distinguished career in the Field of Industrial Safety. He was a pioneer in Employee focused Safety and Security Programs. He truly cared about the people he was serving at his long time Employer, Standard Register, and wanted them to go home safe and sound to their families every day. He was a force for good in his Industry and Corporate circles. He would love to tell the story of when he was invited to speak at a state-wide Safety Conference in Arkansas. In the warmup before the seminar, he went into a side office to meet with the other speaker. A tall imposing man stood and turned to Don. “Hello, I’m Bill Clinton.” Don didn’t miss a beat and chirped “Hello Bill, I’m Don Eggenschwiller, you’ve probably heard of me.” Then-Governor Clinton stroked his chin and said, “You know Don, I think I have.” Don travelled nationally to help Standard Register clean up security issues with the sensitive documents like lottery tickets and cashier’s checks that they printed. On one occasion, in Los Angeles, Don worked with the LAPD to locate a group of criminals who were issuing the stolen cashier’s checks. He even went undercover to pay informants for information. Around that time, Don also connected with a special Partner, Kyle Grogan.
Don’s retirement took him to Indian Lake. His passion for hospitality took a new form and he purchased The Landing Tavern. Words can hardly describe The Landing experience that Don shared with his Community. He championed town hall meetings with Congressman Jim Jordan, served the first chicken wings on the Lake, launched the political career of the Mayor of Russell’s point and her husband the City Councilman, and every Tuesday evening, Don would entertain and educate while reading the paper, telling jokes, and offering poignant political commentary. He also endorsed the use of a Bottomless Suggestion Box that when a Landing customer would put in a suggestion, it would fall out of the box onto the floor. Don loved the people he worked with in the bar. He even took his Bar Manager Terri to Northern KY to be hypnotized for the purpose of quitting smoking….and it worked.
Don’s involvement in the Indian Lake Community was legendary. He was the president of the local food bank; he would help to put out the City Christmas tree every year and worked tirelessly with Chamber Members to put on the annual Party at the Lake which raised funds for many functions including the annual Indian Lake fireworks display. Don was a passionate advocate for several causes close to his heart. He was the president of the Watershed Board that partnered with the State of Ohio to help avert damaging toxic algae blooms and make the lake the clean safe wonderful place to recreate that it is today. His work with local groups to address the visual pollution issues of the Turbines slated to encroach on the Lakes beauty was a tremendous David and Goliath story.
Don was Member of Indian Lake Community Church and was a deeply spiritual man. He was humbled by the grace of God given to him after many years of following other pursuits. While at Indian Lake, Don met and married his wife, Maureen.
Don was a generous and loving man, ever possessed with a great sense of wit, humour and compassion. He would often tell people who were serving him in some capacity, “thanks for coming to work today.” When recalling days of yore, he would say “that’s back when sex was clean, and air was dirty.” One of Don’s greatest quotes, that seemed to capture his life was “Sit down, take a load off your mind.” He always had a fishing pole, set of ice skates, a boat ride, or a bologna sandwich there for anyone who had not yet experienced the thrill of Lake Life on Turkeyfoot Point. We miss you, Don. You were one hell of a man, and there will never be another like you.
Pastor Jim Ellington and Pastor Karen Blackburn will begin funeral services at 5 p.m. Friday, June 11, at Indian Lake Community Church in Russells Point, with visitation from 2 to 5 p.m.
In accommodating fashion true to Don for his family and friends around the Dayton area, Pastor Jim Ellington and Pastor Randy Warner will begin services at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 12, at Restoration Park Church, Building B in Medway, with visitation from noon to 2 p.m. Burial will follow in New Carlisle Cemetery, New Carlisle.
Memorial contribution in Don’s name may be given to Hospice of Dayton.
Arrangements are in the care of Shoffstall Funeral Home, Lakeview. Condolences may be shared at shoffstallfuneralhome.com.