From ‘55 to Forever – The Will to Shape Tomorrow

August is nationally recognized as Make a Will Month, a reminder that estate planning is one of the most meaningful ways we can care for the people and causes we love. For EOU, few examples embody that spirit more beautifully than the life and legacy of Robert R. “Bob” Peshall.

When Peshall graduated in 1955, he carried with him more than a diploma. He carried gratitude—for the encouragement he received, the professors who believed in him, and the scholarship that made his education possible. Nearly 70 years later, that gratitude has become a gift that will touch many lives.

Through a generous estate plan, Peshall donated his home and property in Chandler, Arizona, to the EOU Foundation. After the sale of the property, proceeds are designated for the General Music Support Fund, with the remainder creating the Robert R. Peshall Scholarship. These gifts will strengthen EOU’s Music Program and open doors for future Mountaineers for generations.

“I would not have been able to go to school without a scholarship,” Peshall said. “It was renewable as long as I kept my grades up.”

The General Music Support Fund provides essential scholarships, instructional support, and resources for students pursuing their passion for music. Peshall’s early investment in this fund ensures that future students will find the same encouragement he once did.

After leaving La Grande, Peshall always remembered the values he formed at EOU. His decision to establish a scholarship reflects a steadfast belief in giving back—helping young musicians, teachers, and artists find their own path forward.

When asked what he would say to future recipients or to alumni considering their own legacy plans, Peshall didn’t hesitate: “I believe very strongly in passing it on,” he said. “It’s just me feeling someone helped me, I should help someone else.”

With his trademark warmth, he adds, “Go Mountaineers!”