Nathan Phillip Eisenberg

Nathan (Nat) Phillip Eisenberg, 77 years old, of Houston, Texas, passed away on March 6, 2024 after a decades long journey with chronic health issues. A proud, native San Antonian and third generation Texan, Nat was born August 12, 1946 to Joe D. and Rosalie Eisenberg. A few years later, he became an older brother to Randi (Eisenberg) Zubowski.

After graduating from Jefferson High School in San Antonio, Nat went on to obtain a B.A. in Government at Cornell University in 1968. Following college, Nat completed his M.A. in Urban Planning at Trinity University and then pursued further urban planning and business studies at the University of Wisconsin. In 1977, Nat was awarded a Carnegie Urban Fellowship to work at the City of Houston, focusing on obtaining federal funds for underserved areas. Soon after, Nat pursued his entrepreneurial passions and founded an independent, economic consulting business, which included giving speeches around the country, publishing a nationally distributed economics newsletter (Main Street Economics), and hosting financial and political talk radio shows. He was an educator at the Houston Community College before fully retiring.

Nat married Debra Cotlar in 1978 in Houston, Texas. Nat and Debra went on to have two children, Judd and Joan. He was the proud grandfather of Sidd, Moses, and Makenzie.

While Nat was the president of his high school student body, the founder of Main Street Economics, and a recognized radio show host, he claimed his greatest achievement was his children. He took pride in their academic accomplishments, career success, and the families they created.

Those who knew Nat would all agree that he was unabashedly and unapologetically opinionated, was guided by a strong moral compass, and had a distaste for pretentiousness and societal norms. Even strangers quickly discovered his authentic personality whether in the parking lot at the grocery store or in the neighborhood while walking his dogs. He was fiercely loyal to his family, dogs, car mechanic, and caretakers later in life, most notably, Maribel, whom he treated like family.

Nat had a gift for gab and became quite animated when speaking to an audience of eager listeners, whether it be as a radio host, speech presenter, or professor. His ability to engage strangers in lengthy and lively conversations was an ability quite unique to Nat. Those who loved him enjoyed his wit, audaciousness, and practical wisdom.

Nat was both a cowboy and a hippie at heart, embracing the history and culture of the Wild West and admiring the ideology and free-thinking era of the 60s and 70s, including the music, lava lamps, and fights for justice. May his memory be a blessing, and may we continue to honor his memory by staying true to who we are. To quote one of his favorite sayings: Onward thru the fog.

Nat is survived by his former wife Debra of nearly 40 years; his son, Judd and daughter-in-law, Jen; his daughter, Joan and son-in-law, Ben; his grandchildren Sidd, Moses, and Makenzie; and his sister and brother-in-law Randi and Paul Zubowski. He was preceded in death by his loving parents, Joe D. and Rosalie Eisenberg and in-laws Dr. Nathan and Hannah Cotlar.

The family would like to express its deep appreciation to Nat’s team of caregivers, and in particular Maribel, for their unwavering dedication, compassion, and support all the way to the end.

A graveside service will be held at Temple Beth El Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas on March 12, 2024. The family requests that donations in his honor be made to Alexander Jewish Family Service in Houston, Texas.