Wilfred “Roger” Eschenbaum, 87, of Redfield, SD, passed away Monday, April 8, 2024, at the Eastern Star Home in Redfield.

   Services will be held on Tuesday, April 16, at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Redfield.  Visitation will be from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m.   Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 a.m.  Reverend John Short will officiate.  Lunch and fellowship will follow the service in the church hall.  Burial, with military honors, will be held at a later date at St. Joseph Cemetery in Orient, SD. 

   Roger’s Mass will be live-streamed on the funeral home’s website below his obituary.  Hyke Funeral Home of Redfield has been entrusted with arrangements (www.hykefuneralhome.com).

   Roger was born on July 11, 1936, to Herman and Helen (Keppen) Eschenbaum in Faulkton, SD.  He was raised in Hand County and grew up with six brothers and one sister.  Roger attended the Staufer one room country school thru 8th grade. This is the same school his father Herman attended and all his brothers.  He walked to school every day.  It was ¾ of a mile walk if he cut “cross country” and he did so until he acquired a used bicycle.  He worked on the family farm in the summers and went to school in the winters.

   He attended high school at Crosier Seminary in Minnesota, graduating in 1954.    Roger furthered his education at St. John’s University in Minnesota and Northern State Teacher’s College in Aberdeen, SD.  He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree. 

   For five years, Roger taught school at Fairview High School in Polo, SD, and then taught at Redfield High School for 30 years.  He taught Latin, Freshman English, Social Studies, History, Government, and Sociology. 

   Roger proudly served his country with the U.S. Army National Guard for six years.  He lived in Zell, SD, before moving to Redfield in 1967.  In 2014, Roger moved into the Eastern Star Home in Redfield.

   Roger was a member of St. Bernard Catholic Church and was active with the church council and as a lector at masses for many years.  He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus in Redfield and held the position of Grand Knight in 1994. 

   In his younger years, Roger enjoyed visiting with friends, fishing, slow pitch softball, traveling, and photography which included developing his own pictures.  During his retirement, he traveled to 40 of the 50 states, fished in Canada, and went to the world’s fair in 1964.  For years, Roger took pictures for the Redfield Press and Redfield Public School yearbook.   His later hobbies included listening to music, watching TV (especially game shows), and he faithfully attended mass. 

   Roger is survived by his brother Norman Eschenbaum of Sturgis, SD; two sisters-in-law:  Phyllis Eschenbaum of Faulkton and Theresa Eschenbaum of Miller, SD; along with many nephews and nieces. 

   He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Annette, brothers- and sister-in-law:  Marvin, Keith (Millie), Willard (Mary Jane), Lester, and Etta Eschenbaum.