In the early morning hours on June 19, 2016 Robert “Bob” Chester Ecker passed away. He was born in Helena, Montana on October 3rd, 1943 to Francis and Eleanor (MacDonald) Ecker. Bob was the first of their five children together; he was followed by one brother (Tom) and three sisters (Donna, Sue and Barb). Bob had been having some health problems in the recent months preceding his death.
Growing up and having his father leave at a young age, Bob helped his mom raise and take care of his younger siblings. He grew up in the Helena Valley attending Catholic schools and Cathedral High and had a Catholic upbringing. He was a musician. He loved to play the drums. He used to play in the band during the Carroll College basketball games. Also he had quite a few family drum sessions with his siblings.
Bob was drafted into the Army and served for over eleven years making rank of SSG E6. He did spend time in Vietnam and was severely wounded in an attack. Bob was medically and honorably discharged. He was a recipient of the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and Army Commendation Medal for Maritorious Unit Commendation.
Bob had been married twice. He met his first wife (Beverly (Ford) Ecker), and her two sons (Warren and Wayne Ford) not too long after he was drafted into the army. Bob and Beverly were married for 10 years, and he helped raise both Warren and Wayne. He treated them as if they were his own. Bob and Beverly divorced in 1976, yet he still kept in touch with the two boys afterwards. Bob met Carolyn Lackman in Billings, MT. They married in 1978; they had their first child, a daughter (Melinda Sue) in 1979 and second child, a son (Dustin Robert) in 1988.
Bob drove a semi for most of his life. It was his trade, traveling from one side of the country to the other and in Canada, hauling whatever needed to be hauled. He would haul anything from livestock, lumber, concrete, produce, refrigerated and numerous other things. He loved to travel and he would take his family with him at any chance he could. Driving also kept Bob from his family quite often. His job moved his family from Billings, MT to Belgrade, MT and finally to Townsend MT. He has resided in Townsend ever since. He became a Mason and a member of the American Legion in the local chapters.
Bob was a likeable guy and would lend a hand to help anyone in time of need. He took on a Boy Scout Troop #231 to spend more time with the boys. He truly loved doing that. He became Scout Master of the troop and in 2005 he took Troop #231 to the Jamboree in Fort AP Hill, Virginia, where he as a boy scout attended in the Jamboree in 1958. He was so proud of those boys, he made them all earn their badges and take pride in that.
Bob was an outdoor person and he loved to go camping, fishing and driving around in the hills on all kinds of trails. He was usually one of the first to jump in and help set up camp, get firewood and make breakfast and tell stories around the campfire.
He watched his daughter graduate from both high school and college, have his first grandson (Tanner) in 2002 and walked her down the aisle in 2008. He watched his son graduate from basic training and high school and give him his second grandson (Dylan) in 2013. He and Carolyn divorced in 2006 but continued to remain friends.
Not very many people didn’t like Bob, most everyone in town knew him. He could spin a tail with the best of them. He was a good man, loving father and a good brother. May you rest peacefully and in good hands.
Bob is preceded in death by his father Francis, mother Eleanor, brother Tom, ex-wife Beverly and stepson Wayne. He is survived by his children Melinda (Jeraco) Jones, Dustin (Katie M.) Ecker, two grandsons Tanner and Dylan Ecker, his loyal and loving dog Remmie, Sisters Donna, Sue, Barb, Nancy (Tom Ecker), along with 7 Nephews (Eric, Kevin, Brendan, Jimmy, Joe, John and Brian) and 5 nieces (Jamie, Julie, Jenny, Staci and Carrie) and their families and ex-wife Carolyn Ecker and Step-son Warren Ford and his family.
The Memorial will be held at the American Legion in Townsend on July 9, 2016 from 1 to 5 p.m. Funeral and burial services will be held on August 26, 2016 at 11 a.m. at Fort Harrison, State of Montana Veterans Cemetery, with full honors.
There has been and account set up at The State Bank of Townsend for donations for The Benefits for Robert “Bob” Ecker. Also an account has been set up online at gofundme.com (In loving Memory, Bob Ecker). All proceeds will go to the family to help with the funeral expenses due to Bob’s unexpected passing.
“Dad , we love you and we know you are in a better place. Say hello to Grandpa, Grandma and Uncle Tom for us. We wish you a beautiful journey from here on. You are always in our hearts and you will be dearly missed.”
Love,
Your Kids Tootsie and Boogie
(Melinda & Dustin)
Services will take place at a later date. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Robert.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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