Matthew Roger Eslick

Matthew Roger Eslick, 44, of Eagan, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on April 9, 2024, in St. Paul, Minnesota, with family beside him. Matthew was born to Roger and Judy (Stewart) Eslick. Matthew is survived by his daughters Ashlyn and Isla Eslick, parents Roger and Judy Eslick, and siblings Dr. Nathan [Annette] Eslick, Carolyn Pekol, Dr. Andrea [Brad] Eslick Watkins, Julie [Curtis] Warner, and many nieces and nephews. Matthew is preceded in death by his cousins Todd Eslick and Aimee Schreiber, and grandparents Don and Pauline Stewart, and John (Jack) and Adeline Eslick.

Growing up on the family farm outside of Dayton, Matthew learned the value of hard work by helping in the field, checking pigs, and completing countless projects around the farm, such as shingling the house and assembling bulk bins. Though Matthew enjoyed many hobbies (such as cooking, landscaping, and watching Star Trek and Hawkeye football), his dream was always to become an attorney.

After Matthew graduated from Southeast Webster High School in 1998, he attended college at Drake University, impressively triple-majoring in math; English; and law, politics, and society. He earned both a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Science degree. Upon graduating magna cum laude in 2002, Matthew went on to attend law school at Drake University as a Dwight D. Opperman scholar. He received many honors in law school when he graduated near the top of his class in 2005, including recognition on the Dean’s list each semester, 8 Top A (CALI) awards, and memberships in the Order of the Barristers and the Order of the Coif. Matthew served as a research editor for the Drake Law Review and received countless awards for his contributions in Moot Court and Mock Trial competitions.

Matthew was a member of the Iowa and Minnesota Bar Associations (both state and federal), as well as the 8th Circuit Bar Association. His first position after graduating law school involved a clerkship for the Honorable James E. Gritzner of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. From there, Matthew went on to practice law at Nyemaster Goode, P.C. and then for Nationwide Insurance Company, both in Des Moines. Matthew excelled in litigation and defense work. In 2020, Matthew moved to Minnesota and practiced law at several firms in Minneapolis/St. Paul until his passing.

Despite Matthew’s long list of accomplishments, he was most proud of his daughters, Ashlyn and Isla. He enjoyed making pancakes for them on weekend mornings, taking them for walks in their wagon, and exploring apple orchards in the fall. He loved them very much.

A visitation for Matthew will be held on April 19, 2024, from 5-7 p.m. at the Dayton United Methodist Church (107 3rd ST NW). A celebration of life service will be held on April 20, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., also at the Dayton United Methodist Church. For online obituaries and condolences visit: www.carsonstappfuneralhome.com