Robert James Eby, Class of 1943

Robert James Eby ’43 died Sept. 27, 2020. Jim was born June 26, 1921 in Trotwood, Ohio to the late Vernon and Bertha (Lentz) Eby. He was 99 years old. During WWII Jim served in the US Navy, continuing his service to our country in the Naval Reserve until retirement. He was a proud alumni of Otterbein College where he met his late wife Freda Mae Emig. He was inducted in the Otterbein Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011 for baseball, football & men’s track and field. He was also involved in the ‘O’Club, Leather Helmet Gang, & Pi Kappa Phi (Country Club) fraternity.

For 38 years he was a teacher, football coach and athletic director in the Dayton area. Jim was also a founding member of St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church in Huber Heights and a member of the Ohio High School Football Hall of Fame.

Jim is survived by one daughter, Roberta (Drexel) Matthews and 3 sons, Dennis (Carol) Eby, David (Phyllis) Eby, and Dale (Christine) Eby. Also surviving are 12 grandchildren, Tracie (Tyler) Davis, Marcia (Richard) Gonzalez, Ben (Sarah) Eby, Chris (Nikki) Eby, Sarah Eby, Matt (Chrissy) Eby, Andrew Eby, Michelle (Michael) Jarman, Cara (Sean) Wampler, Travis Eby, Kyle (Amanda) Eby and Brianne Eby; 11 great-grandchildren, Kahlan and Cameron Davis, Adalynn and Jack Eby, Isabelle Eby, Taylor and Kate Eby, Corinne Jarman, baby girl Wampler, Sabine and Archer Eby. Included among his numerous nieces, nephews and friends are Suzie Reiselt, Dave Leedy, and Bruce Hain.