Bryan Lee Eisenhart

July 10, 1956 — July 2, 2024

Bryan Lee Eisenhart Profile Photo

Obituary for Mr. Bryan L. Eisenhart (1956 – 2024) 

Bryan L. Eisenhart – unforgettable son, brother, father, nephew, cousin and friend – passed away suddenly, July 2, 2024, after fighting to overcome numerous health challenges he had endured for many years. He leaves his two children, Tyler Eisenhart (Mariel) of South Carolina, and Justin Eisenhart (Katie) of Ohio, and sister & brother-in-law Karen & Roy Smith to mourn his passing and miss his wry smile and sense of humor! He also leaves four beautiful grandchildren – William, Gunnar, Christian and Aubree – and numerous loving aunts, uncles, cousins, step-family members and good friends – all grateful Bryan touched their lives. Bryan was preceeded in death by his mother, Betty Eisenhart and father & step-mother, David and Carole Eisenhart, as well as both his maternal and paternal grandparents, (who were all, no doubt, waiting to welcome him with open arms as he entered the pearly gates!). 

Bryan was a long time resident of the Columbus and Landen areas. He graduated from Medina Senior High School, and attended Michigan Tech University (where he promptly adopted a Husky puppy he secretly kept in his dorm room & took to classes under his coat until she was too big to hide and came home to live with the family!), as well as his “Buckeyes Forever” Alma Mater, The Ohio State University, graduating with a joint degree in Psychology & Business. 

Sports were always a huge part of Bryan’s life, playing football, basketball & baseball as soon as he was old enough to join the teams, continuing on through high school, and joining football and diving teams in college. 

To say Bryan was an avid sports fan would be a HUGE understatement – he was always an “UBER Super Fan” - alternately wearing scarlet and gray for his beloved Buckeyes, and orange & brown for his equally coveted Cleveland Browns – with seasonal changes to wine & gold for the Cleveland Cavs, red, white & blue for the Cleveland Guardians, orange & blue for FC Cincinnati (FINALLY, a Cincinnati team!), and a golf shirt or hat whenever there was a big golf tournament! 

As a lifelong Browns fan, Bryan was briefly a fish out of water when first moving to Bengals country from Northern Ohio, but soon found a home for the crazed comradery he craved for his “Brownies” with a group of fans known as the “Cin-Dayton Lucky Dawgs,” a Browns Backers club that meets at The Lucky Dog Grille in Mason. It was here Bryan could truly be the wild ‘n crazy Browns fanatic he was – as well as actually help make a difference in people’s lives by volunteering to play in their charity golf tournament when able, or working it when he was no longer able to play, as well as running the club’s charity raffles…and as much as he loved that club, they also loved him, because in a special tribute newsletter from the group’s President, Kurt Boveington, he said:  

“Bryan was one of the original members of this club in 2008, and has served as vice president during my tenure since 2011. Bryan has been an integral part of the growth of this club. He managed our charity raffles for several years, and attended almost all club meetings. He was always a voice of reason on many issues, topics & protocol. As we discussed and debated issues over the years, Bryan would always introduce a unique perspective that others hadn’t thought of. We’ll miss his wisdom. Most of all, we’ll miss his friendship. I’m sure all members have experienced his warmth, love, friendly hug & handshake. On a lighter note, most club members will remember his deep voice and “signature call” at the beginning of our half-time charity raffles: “Let’s get ready to raffle!” As we head into this season, there will be an empty chair at The Lucky Dog Grille. Whether the Browns win or lose, in his memory, let’s fill that chair with that special type of warmth and friendship that would make Bryan proud. Please pray for Bryan, and keep his family in your prayers. Bryan, may you rest in peace my friend. You will be missed.” 

Bryan was also an avid golfer & fisherman, and loved wearing the “fishing destination shirts” he got from a fishing club he belonged to, saying, “everyone actually thinks I’ve been to these places – wouldn’t it have been cool if I had?!” One of his very favorite fishing trips he did go on, was a “guys only” family fishing trip up to La Tuque, Quebec, Canada when he was a young boy, some 55+ years ago - including three generations of his granddads, dads, uncles ‘n cousins – which he still happily talked about as often as possible! EATING fish was one of his faves, too – especially when introduced to “Walleye Wednesday” at a local eatery – he thought fresh walleye was just amazing! 

Bryan loved his two sons with all his heart, and adored spending time doing things with them when they were younger, including coaching their soccer teams, and hikin’, campin’ ‘n fishin’ - and he absolutely reveled in being their Indian Guide Leader! 

Over the years, Bryan worked a variety of jobs, starting out as a teenage lifeguard & water safety instructor…working a factory production line makin’ peanut butter & pickles(!) in high school…partnering to start a virtual reality company…a managerial position in a transportation company…trying a new path in finances…and finally, fulfilling orders at one of the largest mail order companies in the country – always taking something new he’d learned along with him at each stop along the way, and ALWAYS thinking outside the box! He totally mastered the “Art of Sales,” and a conversation with Bryan was an exercise in analytical thinking (must’ve been how he convinced his college advisors to create a specially-tailored double major for him!), with a little “sales-speak” thrown in, always ending his conversations with, “Thank you for taking the time to talk with me!” 

Bryan also loved Christmas – the lights, the music, and especially, the movie, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” – didn’t matter how many times he saw it, he still absolutely cracked up at the same lines & gags every single time he watched it! He also totally loved fireworks, and never met a pyrotechnics show he didn’t like – whether it was the WEBN Fireworks in Cincinnati, Red, White & Boom in Columbus, or local fireworks shot from a boat on Landen Lake, if there were lights, fireworks & crazy kabooms, Bryan was all in!! You can definitely think of him fondly at any fireworks show you see from here on out, because he will be watching them all from the best seat in the house! 

Bryan’s unexpected passing has left a hole in our hearts, and we will miss him tremendously… but we take just a little bit of solace in knowing that he’s no longer struggling to walk, no longer in constant pain, and can once again stand up straight and do all the things he loved to do. When asked how he was over the last several years, his reply was always, “I’m doin’ what I need to do”…but now he can walk, hike ‘n run again, play golf, football and fish again, and truly enjoy whatever he’s doing… and we bet he’s already organized a Browns Backers Club up in Heaven & is enthusiastically recruiting members as we speak – in spite of their record! 

Godspeed, Bry – know that your family & friends love you, and will hold you in our hearts until we see you again… 

Cremation has already taken place. An informal Celebration of Life will take place at 12 Noon at one of his favorite places – The Lucky Dog Grille in Mason, Ohio – on November 3, before the Browns game starts. If you’d like to share your favorite Bryan story, memory or picture, please stop by or feel free to post it on this website. 

If desired, memorials may be made in Bryan’s name to: 

Circle Tail, Inc. 

8834 Carey Lane 

Pleasant Plain, Ohio 45162 

513-877-3325

 www.circletail.org 

 

Blue Line K9 Project 

www.bluelinek9project.com 

 

The Cleveland Browns Foundation 

www.ClevelandBrowns.com/foundation 

 

American Heart Association 9825 Kenwood Rd. 

Blue Ash, OH 45242 

513-281-4048 

www.heart.org 

 

 

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 

 Matthew 11:28 – 29 (NIV) 

I love football. It’s what I am. 

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Bryan Lee Eisenhart, please visit our flower store.

Make a donation to one of the following charities in remembrance of Bryan Lee Eisenhart

  • charity logo

    Circle Tail

  • charity logo

    BLUE LINE K9 PROJECT INC

  • charity logo

    CLEVELAND BROWNS FOUNDATION

  • charity logo

    American Heart Association

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