Robert E. Eckman, Jr., 95, of Chambersburg, PA, passed away Friday afternoon, April 7, 2017 at Brookview Health Care Center at Menno Haven after a long illness. Born September 13, 1921 in Chambersburg, he was a son of the late Robert E. and Margaret E. Houpt Eckman. A 1939 graduate of the former Chambersburg High School, Bob entered the US Navy in 1941 and served honorably in the South Pacific during WWII. He was discharged from active duty in 1947 and went on to serve with the Navy Reserve from 1948 until 1953. He was employed for 37 ½ years with the Chambersburg Electric Department, retiring as Superintendent in 1986. He served as secretary of Greene Township Sewer Authority from 1979-1999 and was a long-time member of Greene Township Lions Club. He was a member of King Street United Brethren Church and the Burton Men’s Bible Class. Bob was a man of strong principle, a devoted husband, and an avid reader who especially enjoyed history, philosophy and westerns.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Rhoda B. Etter Culbertson Eckman, whom he married on July 26, 1969; his stepdaughter, Judith Culbertson Shoop (husband Rodney); his grandson, Kevin Shoop; nephew Robert Eckman; niece Linda Staley; and two grandnieces Elodie and Molly. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Amy Elizabeth “Betty” Archibald Eckman on May 3, 1968; and his brother, Maurice W. Eckman.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at 11:00 AM in the Chapel of Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 333 Falling Spring Road, Chambersburg, PA. Rev. Paul B. Baker will officiate. Interment with military honors by members of the Charles Nitterhouse Post 1599 VFW Honor Guard will follow at Lincoln Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00-11:00 AM Wednesday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research and mailed to Donation Processing, The Michael J. Fox Foundation, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741 or to the Coyle Free Library Building Fund and payable to FCLS – Coyle Building Fund. Contributions can then be mailed to FCLS, 101 Ragged Edge Road South, Chambersburg, PA 17202.

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