Robert Richard Eckstrom, born on September 26, 1948 in Waterbury, CT to Robert and Lillian Eckstrom, crossed the threshold from the physical world to the spiritual world on April 19, 2024, in Peterborough, NH, at the age of 75.
Nicknamed 'Hunky Blond' before they met in Lowell MA on November 14, 1968, Rob (Bob) was the beloved husband of Joanna (Kalergis) Eckstrom with whom he celebrated their 50th anniversary on January 13, 2024. (Coincidentally, their wedding day, January 13, 1974, was the same day as Superbowl VIII - Minnesota Vikings vs. Miami Dolphins. Bob loved telling the story of his groom's men and male wedding guests’ reaction to hearing there'd be no TV at the reception.)
Bob attended Bristol CT public schools and was a graduate Bristol Eastern High School Class of 1965. Soon after earning his BS degree from Lowell Technological Institute, he was drafted. He served in the US Army from 1971 to 1977; Active Duty was spent as a Military Policeman at Indiantown Gap Military Reservation. Upon discharge, he pursued a successful career as a self-employed manufacturers' representative, specializing in high-tech components used by military, aircraft, space industry and medical equipment customers.
Bob and Joanna moved to Wilton NH in 1976. Working on his TR3 or MGB, tending to 300+ orchids and listening to Pink Floyd, Beethoven, Mahler and Wagner at top volume couldn't be managed in one space, so Bob and his brother built a two-story garage and a greenhouse in which each activity had its own space. Bob enjoyed deep sea fishing, playing chess, biking and was an accomplished chef. He loved Nick Stellino's Cuccina Amore recipes to which he added a little of this or a little of that to make the dish his own.
Besides his wife, Bob is survived by his sister Sandra (and Jim) Bland, Kendall Eckstrom and nieces Britt Eckstrom Gallant, Ingrid Eckstrom Gedraitis, nephew Woody Eckstrom and their families; and his Greek family - brother and sisters in law Nicholas Kalergis (Leann), Karen Kalergis, Lani Becker, Lisa Tompkins, Bobby Joe Tompkins and Robert Ulman, his godchild Alexis Tompkins, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and grands and many friends who have touched his life – especially Stasia and Joe, Lynne and Jeff, Peg.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Robert & Lillian Eckstrom, his sister-in-law Cinde Ulman, brother-in-law Ken Becker and niece Emily Eckstrom.
A Green Burial service was held at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Wilton, NH on April 25th. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Society for the Protection of NH Forests. Bob will be deeply missed by all who knew him, and his memory will live on in the hearts of those he touched.
