Harold Esch
Harold Esch, the only Honorary Life President of the USLBA, passed away April 18, 2010. He was president of the old American Lawn Bowls Association in 1958-60 and was on the ALBA National Council for 34 years. Only recently did he retire as the USLBA historian.
That kind of service, plus his superb bowling record on the green, made him a charter member of the Lawn Bowls Hall of Fame. Harold was a U.S. champion in pairs in 1966 and 1967. He bowled in 410 US National Open games, winning 319 of them, which earned him the singles championships twice, the pairs title four times, and the triples twice.
He was secretary-treasure of the North Central Florida League for 40 years. His service to lawn bowling in that role so impressed the Mount Dora club that it made him and Honorary Member in 1954 even though he was a member of the old Orlando club at the time. After moving to Mount Dora he won all their club tournaments, some more than once. He was club president 1991-92.
The following obituary was published in the
Orlando Sentinel on April 21, 2010:
ESCH, HAROLD L., age 88, of Mount Dora, FL, passed away on April 18, 2010. Harold was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to J. Lester Esch and Martha L. Esch. The family moved to Orlando, FL in the 1930's where Harold developed, what would be, a life long passion for baseball. That passion would lead him to write a sports column for the Orlando Sentinel in the 1960's and become an avid collector for the sport. His grandfather, Hiram F. Esch, had a patent for his invention of a "fifth wheel" for use on wagons in the 1800's which was a precursor to those in use today on all types of vehicles. His other grandfather, John M. Nash, invented several types of wood working machinery that are still in use today and bear the Nash name. Harold enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942 and served his country admirably until the end of World War II. Most notably, Harold will be remembered as a world class lawn bowler. He began his career in 1935, and was dubbed the 1960's Bowler of the Decade among many other coveted national and international titles won through the U. S. Lawn Bowling Association and the USA World Bowls. Today, Harold is listed in the Lawn Bowling Hall of Fame for his accomplishments and was affiliated with the Mount Dora Lawn Bowling Association. He is survived by his stepson, Kurt Hoag, of Tavares, FL; stepdaughter, Marilyn Hoag, of Mount Dora, FL; four grandchildren, Brian Hoag, Shaunna Purdy, Erin Wood, Staff Sergeant Paul Wood, USMC; and four great grandchildren, Clayton, Evelyn and Hayden Purdy, and
Gabriella Wood. While Harold will leave a legacy, he will always be remembered for his kind gentle manner, positive outlook on life, and most of all, loving generosity to his family and friends. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held on Thursday, April 22, 2010, at 11 a.m. at the Allen J. Harden Funeral Home, 1800 North Donnelly Street, Mount Dora, FL 32757. Arrangements are by
ALLEN J. HARDEN FUNERAL HOME, 1800 N. Donnelly Street, Mount Dora, FL 32757. Phone: 352-383-8178.
(www.allenjharden.com)