Earl Eaton Bach Jr., 76

Earl Eaton Bach Jr., 76, a.k.a. Butch, beloved husband and father, passed away at his home in Somers, on May 31, 2023.

Butch grew up on the Jersey Shore, where he fostered a love for sailing, boating, water skiing and mischief. His "creative extracurricular pursuits" landed him at Valley Forge Military Academy, where his character and national pride were forged.

Born with an engineer’s mind, his dad’s career as a pilot inspired him to become an airline mechanic with UAL in California. Having a restless soul, he had many occupations. He loved his 2 1/2 acre ranch, complete with horses and other animals, which he kept running by renting out anything and everything he could. It was here that he met his wife of 33 years.

Earl and his wife Karen moved to Montana to have a more wholesome place to raise their children. Earl loved the community at Stillwater Christian School, where the kids attended. He felt the same about his Saint John Paul II parish community, where he became a Knight of Columbus and loved playing Santa Claus, calling bingo and wearing his legendary khaki shorts.

Earl believed most in God, country and family — in that order. Evidence of this can be seen in those who survive him, his wife, Karen Cresap Bach; his children, Marianne, Rob, Heather, and Earl III; his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and his chihuahua, Tasha.

Please gather with us to celebrate Earl’s life at his funeral this Tuesday, June 6, at 11 a.m. at Saint John Paul II Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations are made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

Arrangements are in the care of Johnson-Gloschat funeral home.