Robert J. Erkert

ERKERT ROBERT JOSEPH ERKERT (Age 74) Of Bokeelia, FL died peacefully on August 10, 2011 at Hope Hospice in Cape Coral Florida with his beloved wife, Susan, at his side. Bob was born May 7, 1937 in Philadelphia PA, and is survived by a large extended family of children, stepchildren, foster children, grandchildren, sisters, brother, and a host of nieces, nephews, and loved ones. In addition to his wife of 20 years, Susan McGuire, his immediate family includes his daughters, Barbara Reynolds (Edward), Elizabeth Chedester (Thomas), and Amy McGuire, and grandchildren Kyle and Kristen Reynolds and Christopher, Robert, Stephen and Andrew Chedester. Bob was a graduate of the University of Maryland, and employed chiefly in design engineering for naval missile systems. His second career included real estate sales and investments. Bob served in the US Navy, and retired after achieving the rank of E9, Master Chief Petty Officer. He remained in the Naval Reserve Association, and counted his military service as one of his greatest sources of pride and accomplishment. Bob's final resting place will be Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, DC. Bob possessed a generous and charitable heart. One of his greatest interests was Habitat for Humanity and he built houses with them in New Mexico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Maryland, and Bokeelia, FL. He worked with the Lutheran Disaster Relief groups after Hurricane Katrina in Biloxi Mississippi and Hurricane Floyd in Virginia, employing his electrical and carpenter skills in rebuilding homes destroyed by natural disasters. His volunteer spirit extended to his church, community and neighbors as he served with the Pine Island Free Lunch for Kids program, the food bank collection team and with the Pine Island Beacon of Hope. Memorial Services will be held at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, 17740 Muncaster Road, Derwood, MD 20855, (301) 921-2660, on Saturday, August 27, 2011 at 11 a.m. followed by internment and a reception at the family home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Luke's Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 5504, Derwood, MD 20855 where a stained glass memorial will be given in his memory. Online condolences may be made at www.horizonfuneralhomes.com www.horizonfuneralhomes.com