Darel Dale Eschbach, Jr., attended the University of Toledo, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineeringin 1963. He then got a job at the University of Toledo as the first full-time employee dealing with computers. It was there that he met Lynn Bellamy. When Lynn took a job heading the Computer Services department at Arizona State University in 1975, he recruited Darel to come join him, which Darel did in January 1976.  

Darel served in a variety of technology leadership roles at ASU, ending as Director of Telecommunication Services. He helped stabilize the computing environment which was quite troubled when he and Lynn first arrived. He founded the “Tech Shop” to provide service on personal computers when they were becoming widespread at the university. He was responsible for Telephone Services at a time when that unit was the first point of contact for most people seeking information from the university.He led the creation of the university’s telecommunications network from its inception with dial-in modems and “home-run” cables to the days of ubiquitous network connections for everyone.He was the instigator of the AzTec Freenet which provided noncommercial access to open information in their local communities. He was one of the key people involved in the creation of the Computing Commons, for which he recruited the head of Bell Labs, Arno Penzias, to speak at the dedication. He retired in 2002. 

After retirement, Darel became very active in the local Habitat for Humanity organization, where he worked with acquisition of things that could be used in the building projects. He was an accomplished trumpet player in his youth and occasionally played throughout his life. While at the University of Toledo he was an avid photographer. He enjoyed creating various art pieces out of old computer-related things, and some of his creations were displayed in the Commons art gallery. 

Darel is survived by his stepdaughter Erin Wilcox. He was preceded in death by his wife Barbara, his stepson Ryan Powell, his parents, and his sister Marilee Eschbach. 

The ASU Retirees Association conducted an interview with Darel in April 2012. A clip from that interview is available on the ASURA website, and the full interview is available at the ASU Library.