Rice in the D 2023 – Thursday, October 5, 2023
With profound admiration and gratitude, Brother Rice High School and the Brother Rice Endowment Fund will honor and pay tribute to a Lifetime Warrior, Reinhard R. Eschbach ’74, and proudly bestow the 2023 Edmund Rice Tuition Warrior Award at Rice in the D.
“My Brother Rice teachers and mentors didn’t just set elevated expectations scholastically; they were committed to my growth as a man and stood by me to help me become the man they knew I could be. I want to thank Brother Rice for believing in me then, and now.” — Reinhard Eschbach ’74, Loyal Alumnus, Distinguished Parent, Generous Philanthropist, Lifetime Friend of Brother Rice
Reinhard, fondly known as “Reiny,“ has selflessly and generously supported every aspect of the Brother Rice Mission and experience for nearly three decades. His unwavering dedication to affordability, accessibility, and opportunity has left an indelible mark, impacting the lives of countless individuals through his philanthropic endeavors. As a lead supporter and pivotal force behind the Faculty Endowment Fund and the Albert and Phyllis Fracassa Leadership Fund, Reinhard’s contributions will continue to impact Brother Rice’s legacy for years to come. Thanks to his compassionate contributions, our dedicated faculty members have the resources they need to reach their full potential, and our students are granted the precious gift of educational opportunities made possible by the kind and generous support of individuals like Reinhard Eschbach.
As a graduate of Lawrence Institute of Technology, Reinhard diligently worked his way through the appropriate trade schools and assembly plants to eventually become a partner at Speed Weld in the automotive supply industry. When his father suffered a serious medical emergency, Reinhard admirably stepped in and took on responsibilities at Iroquois Industries for his family. Six years later, upon his father’s passing, he assumed the helm to preserve and honor his father’s legacy. Under Reinhard’s visionary leadership, Iroquois Industries flourished, transforming into a prominent Tier One automotive supplier with fourteen plants spread across Michigan, Tennessee, Mexico, and Germany. The tremendous success of Iroquois Industries is a testament to his relentless work ethic and unwavering dedication.
Reinhard attributes much of his success and character development to his time at Brother Rice. The school and its supportive community instilled in him the confidence, spiritual foundation, and sense of purpose that laid the groundwork for his achievements as a young man. He takes immense pride in raising four children (Ryan ‘99, Karl ‘03, Krista, and Liesl) with his wife Lisa, all of whom reflect what he learned at Brother Rice: they are people who are successful in their own chosen professions and compassionate human beings who are carrying on the legacy with families of their own.
Reinhard’s humility and benevolence shine brightly through his actions and philanthropy, epitomizing the core values upheld by Brother Rice High School: Respect, Integrity, Character, and Excellence. These values are exemplified by the dedication of our faculty and coaches, by our students’ growth and development into the next generation of leaders, by our student-athletes’ commitment to hard work and perseverance both on and off the fields, and in a community of faith who put God and the teachings of Blessed Edmund at the center of it all. In addition to Reinhard’s support of Brother Rice, his philanthropic spirit extends to numerous charitable causes, including The Rainbow Connection, Academy of the Sacred Heart, St. Hugo of the Hills Catholic Church and School, and Cornerstone Schools, uplifting countless lives within our community and leaving a lasting legacy of kindness and care.
At Rice in the D, more than three hundred Brother Rice Dads and Grads will gather at the Detroit Athletic Club to celebrate a special bond and a common cause – ensuring affordability and accessibility to a Brother Rice Education for the next generation of Warriors.
It is the singular event on the Brother Rice annual program calendar designed to pass the legacy of an Edmund Rice Christian Brothers Education from one generation of Warriors to the next. We invite the Brother Rice community to join us on October 5 for this momentous occasion, Rice in the D, where we shall revel in an evening of brotherhood and purpose. Together, we will pay tribute to the extraordinary Lifetime Warrior, Reinhard R. Eschbach ‘74, and celebrate the profound impact he has made in shaping the lives of countless individuals through his unwavering support and dedication to the values of Brother Rice.