Robert Olof Eck

Robert Olof Eck, beloved husband of the late Ann Eck, cherished father, proud Gramps, and professional engineer, passed away peacefully the evening of Saturday, July 5, 2025. A man of deep pride in his work, heritage, and family, Bob lived a life marked by quiet dedication, humble service, and lasting impact. Born on March 14, 1938, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, he was the son of Swedish immigrants and was always deeply mindful of his roots. Bob graduated from Pennsylvania State University in January 1961 with a degree in civil engineering. While at Penn State, he met the love of his life, Ann Louise Farnsworth—who he later found again and married. That same year also marked the beginning of his service as a Second Lieutenant then Captain in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Bob was a proud member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and dedicated his professional life to a long and distinguished career at Michael Baker Jr. Incorporated, where he began working in 1957. Over the course of more than five decades, he contributed to the design and construction of major infrastructure projects across Pennsylvania and beyond, including the I-95, the Betsy Ross Bridge, the Lackawanna Valley Industrial Highway, the Warren Street Expressway, the Ernston Road Interchange, and the reconstruction of the Market Street L and Vine Street Expressway. His expertise also guided his work as county engineer for three years in Burlington County, New Jersey. Bob formed many lifelong friendships during his career. Bob and Ann shared a marriage of more than fifty years, one filled with love, gardening, scrabble/bridge playing, and partnership. Together, they raised two children, Scott (Mary Ellen) and Heather (Mark), and Bob found tremendous joy in being “Gramps” to his three cherished grandchildren: Casey Elizabeth, Riley Grace, and Shawn Michael. A man of quiet faith, Bob was a devoted member and elder of Old Pine Street Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. He contributed his talents as a master gardener to the beautification of the church grounds and capital projects, a reflection of both his skill and his spirit of service. Bob’s legacy lives on in the roads he helped build, the family he dearly loved, and the lives he touched with his kindness, loyalty, and steadfastness. Memorial Services will be held at 10 AM on Thursday, July 17, 2025 at Old Pine Presbyterian Church at 4th and Pine Streets in Philadelphia, PA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Historic Preservation and maintenance of Old Pine Street Presbyterian Church