NORMAN — Robert Elliott Eek, a resident of Herndon, Va., died Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012. of lung cancer. He was 59 years old.
His burial services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5, at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Herndon with the Rev. Leslie Chadwick officiating.
Robert was born April 10, 1953, in Evanston, Ill., the eldest son of Nathaniel Sisson Eek and Patricia Fulton Eek. He graduated from the University High School of the University of Oklahoma in Norman in 1971 as a National Merit Scholar.
He received his BA degree in History from Northwestern University, and was active as a trombonist in the Wildcat Marching Band. He would often remark later that during his time, there were more spectators at NU’s football games to watch the halftime show than would watch the team.
He received his MS degree in Computer Science from Fairleigh Dickenson University; and his PhD degree in Information Technology from George Mason University. He was a member of Phi Mu Alpha, the professional music fraternity.
He was commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Navy. From 1975 to 1985 he served here and abroad achieving the rank of lieutenant.
He met his French wife Elisabeth Granier in Naples, Italy, while serving as a staff officer for the Navy’s 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea, and they were married in Toulon, France, in 1980. Upon receiving his honorable discharge from the Navy, he accepted a position with Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) in 1985. He was their principal software systems engineer, became an assistant vice-president, and served them for 27 years until his death.
He was a member of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church.
Bob, to his family and friends, was a loving husband and father, a caring son and brother, an avid skier, a cutthroat bridge player, and a voracious reader. His wit could skewer the pompous while amusing all within earshot. A gentleman not just by upbringing or Act of Congress, but ultimately by character and disposition. He will be missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by Elisabeth, his wife of 33 years; his son, Guillaume; and daughter Eleanore; his father, Nathaniel S. Eek of Santa Fe, N.M.; his brother and sister-in-law Konrad and Darra Eek of Norman; and his brother, Erik Eek of Leipzig, Germany.
Donations and memorials may be made to The Arc of Northern Virginia, the American Cancer Society, St. Timothy’s, or any appropriate charity of the donor’s.
Norman Transcript, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012
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