Robert Norris Eccles

ECCLES

ROBERT NORRIS ECCLES

Robert Norris Eccles of Chevy Chase, MD passed away on March 6, 2022 at the age of 74 from complications of Parkinson's disease.



For his countless accomplishments in life, above all, Bob was the adored husband of Mary, father of Robert, Claire, and Nora, brother of Ann, Cynthia, and Margaret, and grandfather of Henry, Caroline, and Tessa. Bob was born and raised in Madison, WI, and to say he was an ardent Badgers fan would be an understatement. He was the son of Mark Williams Eccles, English professor at the University of Wisconsin, and Elisabeth Norris Eccles, Editor at the University of Wisconsin Press. Bob graduated from West High in Madison in 1965. He earned a B.A. in History at Harvard College in 1969 and moved to Washington, DC after graduating from Harvard Law School in 1972.



Bob worked as an attorney for the federal government for 15 years. He spent five years at the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, where he prosecuted racially discriminatory housing practices. Subsequently, during his time at the Department of Labor as an ERISA litigator, he served as an Associate Solicitor of Labor. In 1988, he joined O'Melveny & Myers LLP and was a partner there from 1992 until his retirement in 2012. Bob founded O'Melveny's ERISA litigation practice and was known as a top attorney in the field. He was a fellow of the American College of Employee Benefits Counsel and a co-editor of the ERISA Litigation Reporter.



As a colleague and mentor, Bob was revered for his intellect, sharp memory, wit, and unpretentious nature. His family and friends recognized him as a constant supporter and an exceptionally kind and generous soul. He was always up for a new adventure. He will be remembered doing the many things he loved – singing, playing tennis, reading mysteries, taking road trips. Bob will be buried at Oak Hill Cemetery in Georgetown. For those interested, donations in his memory can be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation, Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, and Door County Land Trust in Wisconsin.