Former Local Teacher Victim of Plane Crash
Eby C. Espenshade, 44 years, Director of Admissions of Elizabethtown College, was one of 99 victims of the crash of the Dutch KLM airliner in the Atlantic Ocean, 130 miles off the northern coast of Ireland last Thursday.
In addition to the crew of eight, the plane was carrying 91 passengers. Mr. Espenshade was a member of a group of Lancaster County residents who had joined the Brethren Heritage Pilgrimage to Kassel, Germany, for observance of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the Church of the Brethren. The passenger list of the American-bound plane included fifteen Central Pennsylvanians.
According to advices, the body of Mr. Espenshade has been one of ten thus far identified. It was stated the bodies of identified victims will be returned to their homes.
Mr. Espenshade, a native of Lancaster County, was a graduate of Elizabethtown College. He received his Master of Education at Pennsylvania State University and did graduate work at Duke University, Durham, North Carolina.
After serving from 1936 to 1947 as a member of the faculty of Elizabethville High School, he returned to Elizabethtown College as a teacher and dean of men. He later became Director of Admissions at the college, and had also served for a number of years as alumni secretary.
He is survived by his wife, the former Miss Alma K. Hartman of Annville; three children, Thomas J. Espenshade, 15; John P. Espenshade, 13; and Becky J. Espenshade, 11; his mother, Mrs. John B. Espenshade; and a sister, Mrs. James Murray, all of Elizabethtown.
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From a local newspaper at the time of his death, 14 August 1958.
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