ROBERT ECK

ECK, Robert Charles "Bob," 76, of Richmond, Va., died Thursday, June 13, 2013. He was the son of the late Edward "Eddie" Meade Eck and Ruth Evelyn Johnson Eck; brother of the late Edward "Eddie" E. Eck, Everett M. Eck and Thomas M. Eck; beloved son-in-law of the late William W. and Katherine M. Mills; and stepson of the late Isabelle K. Eck. A Richmond native, Bob graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School where he was a proud member of Cadet Company B, serving as Captain. He became a member of the Virginia National Guard serving with the 1st Squadron 183D Cavalry also known as the Richmond Light Infantry Blues - a historic command dating back to the American Revolutionary War. With this unit, he proudly marched in the second inaugural parade of President Dwight Eisenhower and the inaugural parade of President John F. Kennedy. As a member of Highland Park Methodist Church, he belonged to the Russell Bible Class and was the youngest man to ever be appointed to the Board of Stewards. He also reactivated Boy Scout Troop 631. His scouting experience with the Robert E. Lee Council of the Boy Scouts of America was a journey from October 1960 until February 2008. During those years, he served as scoutmaster and skipper of the Sea Explorer Post 631 ship "Frustration." He became involved with Cub Scout Pack 550 at Aldersgate United Methodist Church where he served as Webelos den leader and later as assistant scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 550. At Bon Air United Methodist Church, he served as Webelos den leader with Cub Scout Pack 811 and assistant scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 891. Other involvement included serving as a committee member of the Shawondassee District, merit badge counselor, Order of the Arrow chapter advisor, and Institutional Representative among other leadership positions. He was awarded the Vigil Honor from the Order of the Arrow, the District Award of Merit, and highlighted by receiving the Silver Beaver Award. A 32nd Degree Mason, he was a dedicated, third generation member of Henrico Union Lodge 130 A.F. & A.M. and served as Worshipful Master in 1978. Bob retired in April 1995 as a 39-year employee of VDOT. He and four others founded and established what became known as the Programming & Scheduling Division of VDOT. On the day of his "formal" retirement, he went out in style by wearing a tuxedo to work and rode home in a chauffeured stretch limousine. In 1998, he was invited to become a member of the House of Delegates staff for the Commonwealth of Virginia, serving as Copy Center Manager. He served in this capacity for each session until 2013. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Ann, his "high school sweetheart;" three sons W. Meade and Michael E. Eck of Richmond, and R. Earl Eck of Leesburg, Va. Bob was also the proud father-in-law of Brenda L. Newport Eck; and devoted grandfather of Cameron, Amy and Jessica Eck also of Leesburg, each of whom he loved beyond measure. He is also survived by three nieces, three nephews, and a number of great and great-great-nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Monday, June 17, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m., with a Masonic Memorial Service at 7 p.m. at the Central Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 3215 Cutshaw Ave., where funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 18, at 2 p.m. Interment will follow in Westhampton Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Henrico Union Lodge 130 A.F. & A.M., 40-B West Williamsburg Rd., Sandston, Va. 23150-2010.

This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.