Robert Morley Esch, age 83, died in El Paso, Texas on September 10, 2023. Preceded in death by his parents, Frank Morley and Anne Miller Esch, he was a retired Associate Professor Emeritus of U.T. El Paso, having graded papers there for thirty-seven and a half years before retiring in December 1999, well known as a witty, sarcastic, and demanding teacher. He received his BA in English from Southern Methodist University (1961) and his M.A. and PhD (1976) from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Twice serving as Assistant Chair of the English department and as Director of First Year Composition, he taught Romantic, Gothic, and Victorian literature, courses in Browning, Tennyson, Conrad, Oscar Wilde, as well as his passion English grammar and usage. He co-authored two books with colleagues in the department. Upon retirement, he traveled extensively and participated in UTEP’s Center for Life Long Learning. In 1987, he was awarded a special distinction by the College Board for developing courses for future teachers of Advanced Placement English. From 1986 to 1988, he was part of UTEP’s undergraduate consortium program in Shah Alam, Malaysia. Serving over twenty years on the board of Community Concert Association, he was a member of Delta Sigma Pi and a life member of the University of Wisconsin alumni association. Thrice past president of the American Contract Bridge League, Unit 159, he achieved the status of Emerald Life Master and contributed bridge reports to El Paso Inc. and various bridge publications in Texas. He served as Lector at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, a role he cherished and enjoyed. He has no immediate survivors beyond distant cousins, and his friends within the bridge and academic communities. Mass will be held Thursday, October 26, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 1551 Belvidere St, El Paso, TX 79912. Burial will be in Houston Texas. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Robert M. Esch Fund, the University of Texas at El Paso Office of Development.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MartinFuneralHomeWest.com for the Esch family.
