Obituaries

John Robert “Rob” Eckenrode, 74

October 24, 2025

John Robert “Rob” Eckenrode,74, peacefully entered the loving embrace of his lord and savior Jesus Christ, on October 24, 2025, after a long hard-fought battle with IPF. Rob truly lived a full and selfless life. From his early years at Sacred Heart of Jesus School/Church and Lancaster Catholic HS (’69), Rob created a solid and loving foundation in his faith which would be the cornerstone to how he lived his life.

He studied Plumbing and Electrical trades in Philadelphia. Throughout his life, these skill sets were always shared with friends, neighbors and family (especially his kids and their friends, who would look to dad for his handyman advice- A LOT.) He was a proud member of the United States Army Reserves for 23.5 years, serving with the 99th Combat Support and M.U.S.T. Units. He served as NCOIC for M.U.S.T. and Radiology units. He was loved and well respected by his fellow officers throughout his career and was honorably discharged in 1994. His military service was only part of the testament to his love of his country; he was a very proud American and veteran.

Rob met his devoted wife, Vicki L. (Wolfe) Eckenrode, when he was driving for West End Ambulance Co.- she was the crew chief. Vicki and Rob just celebrated 49 years of marriage on September 24th, 2025. Rob was also a very proud father to his son, Philip J. Eckenrode and his daughter, Megan E. (Eckenrode) McEvoy. He deeply loved his five grandchildren, Keira, Ellie and Jacob Eckenrode and Michael and Evelyn McEvoy.

Professionally, Rob held many roles in the Lancaster Twp Public Works Department. His career spanned 36 years, and upon his

retirement as Superintendent of Public Highways and Safety, the township renamed Hamilton Park “The J. Robert Eckenrode Hamilton Park” for all his dedicated service. He also held part time positions at Hechinger’s, then Walter & Jackson to help support tuition costs to send Philip and Megan through Sacred Heart School and Lancaster Catholic HS. He felt so strongly about Christian values being instilled in his children, that he was willing to do the extra work. Soon after retirement, he and Vicki decided to fulfill their dream and retire to Ocean City, MD.

Rob’s volunteer activities spanned throughout his life- and he LOVED it! He was a lifetime member of the Lancaster Township Fire Company; additionally, he served for 10 years as secretary with the Wheatland Fire company before its merger with Bowman that became the Lancaster Township Fire Company. He was a member of American Legion Post 34, Knights of Columbus- Past Grand Knight (5-year tenure)-Post 867, Lancaster, PA, and 3rd degree member of Post 9053, Ocean City, MD. He served in many leadership roles on the Hamilton Park board, and various Sportsmen’s clubs (Lancaster, PA.) He was an usher and Eucharistic minister at Sacred Heart of Jesus church, and was heavily involved with his church St. Mary Star of the Sea Holy Savior church in Ocean City, MD. In his retired years, he volunteered multiple days a week at the Atlantic General Hospital (Berlin, MD). There were also countless occasions that he would happily dress up as Santa Claus for events for the young in age, and young in heart. He was also very involved in helping with his children’s many extracurricular activities over the years.

Rob was preceded in death and was undoubtedly welcomed into heaven by his beloved family. His mother, Olive (Hammond) Eckenrode, father, John W. Eckenrode III, his sister, Barbara Eckenrode and his brother Timothy Eckenrode. Mass services will be held at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church- 558 W. Walnut Street, Lancaster, PA on Thursday, 11/6. The family will receive visitors at 10 AM, followed by his service at 11 AM. Inurnment will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. There will also be a mass at his MD parish, St. Mary Star of the Sea Holy Savior Church in Ocean City, MD; those details will be shared by the family as they become available.

Rob was loved by many and will be sorely missed, as he was known for his warm personality, sense of humor, unwavering kindness, and his willingness to help anyone at any time. (He would always joke that he could make friends with a snake.) In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his name to Coastal Hospice, (Berlin, MD), Sacred Heart of Jesus School/Church (Lancaster, PA) or St. Mary Star of the Sea Holy Savior Church (Ocean City, MD.)

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Condolences to the Family

November 23, 2025

Dear Vicki and family,
I was so sorry to learn of Rob’s passing (belatedly) but want you to know how genuinely sorry I am of your great loss. Although I didn’t know Rob personally, I remember our days at St. Joe’s Hospital when you worked in the ER . Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers and may his soul rest in eternal peace.
Nancy and John Straw

November 06, 2025

Vicki and family so sorry for your loss. My father Richard (Dick )Koller spoke highly of Rob.We knew Rob thru The Knights of Columbus and Sacred Heart.

We knew Rob thru Sacred Heart and the Knights of Columbus
.BARBARA A ESHLEMAN

November 06, 2025

Dear Vicki, So sorry to learn of Rob’s passing! We were unaware until we saw the procession heading to the park today! I mentioned to Tom recently that I had not received an email and joke from Rob in a while! Our hearts ache for you and your family as we know how much he loved you all and how much you will miss him. May the knowledge of knowing he is with his Lord and Saviour give you comfort. In love and prayer, Dottie and Tom Schaller

November 05, 2025

Dear Vicki and family, I was so sorry to hear about Robb’s passing.it has been a long time since we saw you and Robb. Hoping you and your family can console each other and heal. Thinking of you. ❤️❤️
Pat O’Malley

November 04, 2025

Dear Vicki, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. You were a wonderful part of my earlier life and I am thinking about you. 💜 Cerrita Reed

November 02, 2025

Sorry to hear of Rob’s passing. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Karen and Rod Brown

November 02, 2025

Vicki, Phillip and Megan,
I don’t know where to begin. Rob was such an influence in my life, my career, my marriage. He was a strong foundation for my life and the things I do that I learned from Rob. I cherish the memories, our time together and things we did together. I piece of Rob will always live inside me. My deepest sympathies. The world lost a great mentor and public servant.
Tim

October 30, 2025

Dear Vicki, I am sorry I am not able to come to Rob’s service. I will be out of town. Rob was a close friend of my family back in the 70s. We got together many times a week. He was a dear, fun and joyful person to be around. What a blessing you had to share your lives together for so long. Rob was one of the good guys who dedicated his life to helping others. Cindy Myers Herr

October 30, 2025

Dear Vicki and family. My sincere condolences to you and all your family. Rob was such a caring, loving and beautiful person. My mother Margaret often asked him to do minor carpentry work around the house. He also was are go to guy to keep an eye on the house whenever my mother and I went away on a trip. He would write daily notes on his checks. I spoke to him about 3 months ago and he told me he had IPF. We prayed together and I am truly blessed to have known him. I will try to make the funeral.
Prayers and condolences 🙏
Lise A Erdmann

October 29, 2025

Vickie, Philip, Megan, my deepest sympathy’s to all of you. I will always cherish many great memory’s of your Dad. From running fire calls & serving on the board of directors together at the former Wheatland Fire Co. to working with him at Lancaster Township plowing snow for countless hours / days. He was awesome man and always put a smile on my face when I saw him. I am so grateful that our paths crossed. I pray for his soul and for all of you. I have comfort that Rob is in heaven with his family & my daughter Amanda. I extend to all of you my Love, thoughts and prayers. God Bless! Mike Pickard

October 29, 2025

As children, Rob and I were in Sacred Heart school together and through HS at LCHS. We spent most summer Sundays at our grandfather’s house where our dads played tennis and we kids could (sort of) run wild. Those memories are priceless and we cousins had a blast. We also celebrated holiday picnics and parties there – all with our families. I also remember the sadness when Aunt Olive died when we were juniors in HS, and one by one much later when his dad and siblings passed. As adults we took different paths but kept in touch via Rob’s corny jokes online, sharing old time pictures of the Eckenrodes, and the family reunions. Rob made videos from old home movies and sent them to all of the cousins. Rest in peace, cuz ♥️. Sincere condolences to Vicki and the family.
Mary Eckenrode Gibson

October 29, 2025

Vickie and family, I send my deepest sympathy and prayers for all of you and for Rob. I served with Rob many times at Sunday evening Masses at Sacred Heart. It was always a joy. He was so kind and we always had a good laugh. He was a gentle man. God bless.
Jean Nikolaus. Poultney VT.

Visitation: Thursday, November 06, 2025; 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM; Sacred Heart of Jesus Church; 558 W. Walnut Street; Lancaster, PA 17603
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Services: Thursday, November 06, 2025; 11:00 AM; Sacred Heart of Jesus Church; 558 W. Walnut Street; Lancaster, PA 17603
Map and Directions: Get Maps and Directions >