(315) 363-4110 • Sherrill, NY | (315) 829-2626 • Vernon, NY
(315) 363-4110 • Sherrill, NY | (315) 829-2626 • Vernon, NY
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Diane Klein uploaded photo(s)
Saturday, April 12, 2025
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Bob throughout the years
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Elizabeth Kolvik posted a condolence
Friday, February 7, 2025
I had the best grandpa in the world and all the memories I have of him will always keep him alive in my heart. Thanksgiving will always be grandpa’s holiday to me. He loved having the whole family together. I always got to sit next to him and we would joke and laugh the whole time. But not only did he make me laugh all the time, grandpa was always able to say the right thing to make you feel better about anything going on in your life and he always gave the best advice wether you wanted it or not. Like the time I got into trouble with my parents and I decided to try to run away, walking down the road a car pulled over and I heard grandpa say “get your but in here” I did and as he was driving me back he said, “ so, you messed up but you don’t run you face it, apologize and move on, and try not to do it again…and now you made me late getting to my boat.” I apologized and never made him late for his boat again. But I also have always remembered his advice to own up for my own mistakes, apologize, move on and try not to do it again. I could go on for pages with all the memories and advice I have from grandpa, I will forever miss him and will forever tell everyone, I had the BEST grandpa in the world.
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Sara Kolvik uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, February 6, 2025
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My Grandfather, memories. . . where do I start? There’s so much to say. . .
I guess I start with who my grandfather was to me, and that for lack of a better term, he was a rock. Not to sound cliché, but I mean this man really was, both he and my grandmother together. They were at every celebration, every ceremony, every good time and every bad time. They were at every single horrible childhood concert and happy to be there just to see you for your 2 seconds of innocent glory. That’s how much they both cared.
I’ve had a few men in my life that I could count on, but my Grandpa E is at the top of that list. I don’t remember a time in my life without him and it’s hard to think that that’s what it’s gonna be now. But, because he was so good at being that strong dependable supportive presence, I don’t think it’s possible for him to ever leave me. He’s a part of me now, in my heart, a voice in my head, he’s in every fiber of me. And he’ll stay there until I get to see him again inshallah (God willing). He’s waiting, patiently, like he always did, probably drinking a cup of (now that he can) caffeinated coffee, reading a book by a window, and watching nature at it’s finest.
My grandparents were such a fixture of my early childhood (and remained and continue to remain that way forever) that I guess I had heard the phrase, ‘We’re turning onto Grandpa and Grandma’s road. . .’ so many times, that in my infinite childhood wisdom and logic when I had a friend with me one time when we were going to Grandma and Grandpa’s I turned to them as we turned onto the road and said, “My grandparents own all this. . . “
I think my very first memories of my grandfather and me moments were him taking me out to the barn to play in the hay, before it got too dangerous lol. Driving the tractor and taking us all up on the highest hill on the farm in a hay wagon to watch the fireworks on 4th of July. Making sure we all knew the hazards of gopher holes of course, as we ran through the top field waiting for it to get dark.
Though I’m pretty sure my mom put him up to this I remember the seemingly horrified look on his face the year that my mom and I made ‘dirt cake’ for Memorial Day and my cousin and I started eating the flower arrangement in the middle of the table if front of him just for the shock effect it would cause him. To this day I honestly don’t know if he knew or didn’t know about it. At this point I have to believe that he knew but if he did he did a great job acting like he didn’t and making 2 little girls giggle endlessly because they ‘got him.’
I remember when my grandparents came to visit me in college, which was no small feat considering I had decided to go from New York and Pennsylvania clear across the country to Arizona (and they drove of course). From there we drove out to California and hooked up with some of my grandmother’s aunts. And I got to go to Disneyland with a bunch of senior citizens! An experience I will never forget, people may think that’s a silly idea, but I’m telling you, no one knows how to live and have fun like those who have lived and my grandpa was no exception. I don’t have to tell you he was active until he couldn’t be and that wasn’t until almost his last days. He was known for it. Everyone I talked to who knew or knew of my grandparents admired them, looked up to them for everything they were able to do, from their house and gardens, activities and travels, to their sheer presence and kindness and solidness.
Thanksgiving was my Grandfather’s holiday. He wanted everyone that could make it back home to be there, and to bring the important people in their lives. His table was open to all (as long as you knew how to pass to the left). I liked to help my grandmother cook when I got older and one year my grandmother fell Thanksgiving morning and had to be brought to the ER to make sure that nothing was serious. My grandfather turned to me, looked me in the eye, and said, “You got this?’, and without blinking I looked back at him and said a very confident, “Yes, Grandpa.” Purely out of a determination of wanting to make him and my Grandmother proud. Of course I didn’t do it alone, but after my Grandma got back and everyone was still able to sit down and eat Thanksgiving dinner. My Grandpa turned to me, winked, and said a simple, “Good Job” The man knew how to make you feel like you’d just won an Academy Award.
My Grandfather had the greatest facial expressions too. So many little stories that bring a smile to my face just because of the look on his. The time he came over to my apartment to have me ‘fix’ my grandmother’s computer. He handed it to me, turned around to pick up the cup of coffee I had made him and sit down, and as soon as he looked up after sitting I was holding out the computer to him to take back. “Oh, can’t fix it?” he said. “I already did” I said. The look of astonishment he gave me as he said, “Well, can I finish my coffee?” Will be burned into my memories for as long as I have them.
Finally there’s my favorite Grandpa story, and that’s the one of him teaching me how to drive. Again, it wasn’t really my Grandpa’s job to teach me, I had 2 dads and a mom that could have. . . unfortunately they lacked my Grandpa’s patience so I had to ask him. And of course he was like, sure no problem. He would come and pick me up, give me the full safety and controls speech and we would head out to practice. He’d tell me to do something and if I did it right, I’d get, “A, #1, Good Job.” with a thumbs up. If I didn’t, ‘Eh, let’s try that again.”
The first time I signed up for my driving test in Cooperstown, we went early and practiced all morning. I got all A, #1, Good Jobs. . . and then we got to the test guy, well, lets say the devil came down to Cooperstown that morning. No matter what I did, I was doing it wrong. I was going too slow, I was going to fast, I waited to long at the stop sign, I made my left turn to quickly. It didn’t matter, by the time we were pulling back to the starting point I was so flustered and depressed that when he told me to park on a hill, I somehow failed to engage the brake all the way before turning off the car, and it kinda rolled into the car in front of us. There was no damage but the guy had to get out and talk to the owners and my grandfather while I stood there quite literally turning into a beet and wishing I could melt into a puddle of nothing. My grandfather and I were finally able to leave and as we drove out of town, he said nothing while I looked down studying my fingernails and trying as hard as I could not to let the tears form. Once we were on our way he simply turned to me and said, ‘What happens in Cooperstown, stays in Cooperstown.” With a solid look in his eye that told me it was ok, and it was over, I didn’t have to worry about anything. And he never to his dying day told anyone about my embarrassing driving test.
Well it took me 3 appointments, the second I got the same guy (God does have a sense of humor, but if he didn’t I wouldn’t have the story to tell), but I didn’t wind up taking the test because the second I got in the car he told me to get back out and tell him the tiny date on the sticker on the windshield. Once I told him, he got out and told my Grandpa to look at it, he did and immediately let out an, ‘Oh, shit!” Apparently my Grandpa was about 3 days overdue on re-registering the car and therefore I couldn’t take the test. My Grandpa and I got back in the car to first make a stop at DMV and then go home. I turned to him and said, “What happens in Cooperstown stays in Cooperstown?” He just laughed and proceeded to tell everyone what happened when we got back.
The third time I signed up for a test, I said, “Hey Grandpa, is it ok if we go to Sidney instead?” He said ‘now that’s an idea’. I passed with flying colors.
Anyway, that was my Grandpa, I will miss him more than I can say in words. When I moved to Egypt 8 years ago, I kept asking God to let me see them one more time, and he did, and then I kept asking, just one more time. . . one more time is never enough, there will never be a good time to say goodbye because no matter how many times you get, you’re just going to miss the people you love that are gone.
I’m 43 years old, that’s a lot older than most people are when they lose their grandfather. I’m incredibly grateful I got to have him in my life for so long. And though I’ll always miss his presence in this world, I look forward to seeing him in the next inshallah (God willing) and I’ll have my memories to sustain me until then. Alhamdulillah (Praise God). I love you Grandpa, Salam (Goodbye and peace be with you).
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Aryana Kolvik posted a condolence
Thursday, February 6, 2025
I remember how he always used to make jokes all the time, The jokes that would brighten your day as he brightened my day with them every time he made one.
I remember how funny he was and how easy he could put a smile on somebody's face. Although we can't hear his voice or see his smiling face, We know deep down that he has not left us. Instead everyday he surrounds us with his love. I will never forget him but I will forever miss him.
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Gabrielle Eklund uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
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Rest easy, Grandpa. My memories with you on the farm, helping me make things for my american girl dolls as a little girl, and hearing your stories that always started with “back when I was your age, which was a long time ago”, are things I’ll always remember and cherish.
Thank you for always caring about how our lives were going, right up until the last time we saw you. Your zest for life was unbeatable, and even though you didn’t make it to 100 like you always said you would, you came pretty dang close, we love and miss you.
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Robert Kolvik-Campbell posted a condolence
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Funeral Sermon for Bob Eklund:
Friends, we are gathered together in this place to celebrate the life of Bob Eklund.
Pfizer Researcher, Dairy Farmer, Eastern Milk Producer Manager, Sailor. Just some of the titles attributed to Bob. These were important as he lived his life.
As important as these were more important titles: Husband, Dad, Grand Dad, Great Grand Dad, and Father-In-Law.
The last title, Father-In-Law, is mentioned as just a few in this room have been this, and for us who placed that definition on Bob, it did no justice. He was more than that and we celebrate the “more than” parts of Bob’s life today.
In the passage read from Paul’s Letter to the Church at Rome, we heard:
“we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Nothing in life or in death….will keep us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.”
“Nothing in life or in death will keep us from God’s love for us.”
While we may wonder about Bob’s religiosity, no one could doubt his Spirituality, his centeredness, and his ability to forgive.
Sometimes, Bob could be hard on himself (and in the midst of a sailing race, very hard on those who were his crew.) But when the race or struggle was over, he was kind and generous and, I believe he was kind and generous to himself. Bob lived grace with all.
“More than conqueror” seems to be an appropriate summation as Bob’s gratitude for everyone’s care and the attention he was given meant so much to him.
After such a long life, with so many titles and roles, Bob died well as one who loved family, friends, and even those who he was just meeting in later life.
We will have time, during lunch, to share remembrances, thoughts, jokes, as we seek to remember Bob well. In this way, he remains part of the great cloud of witnesses that surrounds us and encourages and cares for us, even beyond this life.
So we gather to give thanks to God, to remember, and to grieve well together, because, even as Jesus grieved at the tomb of his friend Lazarus, so our grief is appropriate.
We who loved and were loved by Bob, who were nurtured by him, and shared life with him give thanks today for having been touched by such a life.
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Gina Murfitt uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
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Some of my favorite memories growing up were with my grandparents. Picnics at the sailing club, or taking us grandkids to Herkimer Diamond mine. Grampa always supported me through the big things like graduation and later, my wedding. I loved when Grandma and Grampa came to Florida to visit, and took me sight seeing.
Grampas conversations and sense of humor were especially important to me throughout my life. He was always able to lighten the mood, and tried to make the best out of every situation. I love and miss you Grampa.
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Graig Klein posted a condolence
Saturday, December 28, 2024
I was asked to give the grandkids’ & great grandkids’ eulogy because I’m the oldest grandson. But we know it’s actually because I’m the better looking one. Sorry Erik, sometimes the truth hurts. In all seriousness we grandchildren are so lucky to have known him for so long & to a show him who we became as we grew up. That we grew as people with him. And for the great grandchildren to have known him & form memories of him as physically capable & mentally lucid. We should be so grateful for this.
Grandpa taught us the values of hard work & determination. Grandpa taught us not be afraid of challenges & to continuously pursue our goals even if the path isn’t straight & obstacles arise along the way. And Grandpa taught us to be courteous & that there’s always more to learn.
Grandpa had a sense of adventure & curiosity & yet knew how to balance that with patience & appreciating the people, events & animals around him no matter how small they were or seem to be. Whether it was sitting at the dining table at the farm with his dad’s binoculars watching birds & deer & learning their habits or after moving to Sherrill & sitting at the dining room window or on the front porch watching the birds, occasional deer & new neighbours & learning about their habits. He was always curious & wanted to learn.
He wasn’t afraid to try new things & would fix lots of things his way. Grandpa was always prepared to figure out how to make a broken thing work. Maybe the best example of this were the coffee tins of rusty nails & screws in the backroom closet at the farm. The end product wasn’t always pretty but it’d work.
I didn’t realize how much of a lesson this was and the impression it made on me until we bought a house & unpacked jars of screws & nails that had been collecting and moved from Binghamton, to Washington DC, to NYC, and the Netherlands. And turns out, it’s quite handy to have a collection of random hardware when you have to fix and maintain a house.
Grandpa always wanted to learn. His curiosity and determination allowed him to teach himself to sail. When we were lucky enough to be out on his sailboat with him, we were able to glimpse his youthful excitement and pure joy. The only thing he loved more than sailing was Grandma and his family. He read sailing books & magazines, played sailing computer games, watched videos on YouTube, sat & watched others’ sailboats to see how they tackled different conditions and challenges, and wandered the aisles of West Marine any chance he got. This all kept him winning sailing races into his 90s. So, either he learned a lot, kept learning & was a good sailor & captain OR he knew how to pick the right sailing club that is filed with people who don’t actually know how to sail.
Grandpa planned on living into his 100s. I think we all knew this plan. While I know that’s a pipedream that’s ultimately uncontrollable, I believed him. It’s made his death hard to process. Living to 96 and being married for 75 years are both amazing. And still cracking jokes and willing himself into attending family events right up until the end are also both amazing.
I’m confident that his endless curiosity, desire to learn and try new things, sense of confronting challenges head-on, and always keeping his love for Grandma & his family as guiding principles allowed us all to love, appreciate, and learn from Grandpa for all these years. He’s built a path for us to follow, one that I know inspires me and my cousins. He’ll be greatly missed.
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David Kettell posted a condolence
Sunday, November 24, 2024
Uncle Bob, there's not enough time or words to express my sadness that you are not here; but you will be with me forever. You are truly one of the most kindness and nicest person that I will ever know.
One of my memories is as growing up coming to see you and Aunt Helen, Bobby, Diane, Christine, Nancy & Janet every summer and having a great time. Going to the Morris County Fair, family Thanksgiving Dinners and Hunting Season with my dad and my friends.
Another memory was when having dinner and reaching across the table was not to be with Uncle Bob, just say lesson learned.
Thank you, Uncle Bob, for all the great memories you have given me that will last forever.
I love you and miss you.
David Kettell
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Linda Lovy posted a condolence
Thursday, September 19, 2024
Bob was such a kind man. I am sorry that Cain and I were unable to attend the service.
I am grateful that David and Cain had opportunities to sail together on Bob’s boat. I am certain that Cain learned a lot about sailing from Bob, and David likely learned many things as well.
Bob will be greatly missed.
- Linda Lovy
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John Garzione posted a condolence
Sunday, September 15, 2024
His smile and sense of humor always made my day and I always looked forward to seeing him.
Heartfelt condolences to his family who he loved so much
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Love, Nancy & Steve Pattarini planted a tree in memory of Robert Eklund
Friday, September 13, 2024
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With fond remembrance of Bob Eklund's kind heart, wonderful sense of humor, and overflowing joy of life. Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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Anett and Krisztian from St. Augustine purchased flowers
Thursday, September 12, 2024
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Anett and Krisztian from St. Augustine
purchased the Ocean Breeze Spray for the family of Robert Eklund.
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Eileen Tello uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, September 11, 2024
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Q: What will you never forget about Robert?
A: My dear “Uncle” Bob,
As a girl from the suburbs, I looked forward to our visits to the farm every summer. We knew we were getting close when we started to see cows along the way. You were so patient with us, showing us how to milk a cow and picking up bales of hay. You and my dad were always joking, and my mom and Aunt Helen were best friends from their childhood in Greenpoint. Thank you for taking such good care of us and giving us memories to last a lifetime.
With love, Photos are you showing us a baby piglet in Indiana. RIP
Eileen (Schade) Tello
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Jenna K. uploaded photo(s)
Monday, September 9, 2024
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My grandpa, Robert F. Eklund, was a wonderful man, admired and enjoyed by all those who knew him. He was an expert conversationalist, who took the time to really listen to others. Always curious to learn, he would research topics that others cared about so that he could talk to them about their interests and hobbies. He was well-versed in an array of topics, but when in doubt, he was the first to ask his trusted friend, “Mr. Google” to learn more. His humor is one of my favorite things about him. He could get anyone laughing with his wit, and perfectly timed jokes. I swear he just got funnier as he got older. His wit never failed, even up until his final days. He used his humor to bring people together, diffuse moments of tension, and remind us not to take life too seriously.
He was inspirational in his love of life and pursuit to get the most out of it. He always said, “I’m going to live to 100,” and he got pretty dang close. Not only that, but he lived a great, adventure and love filled life. He traveled all over with my Grandma and had many great stories to share. He went after the things he wanted, like, despite being a boy from Queens, NY, pursuing his love of agriculture and eventually buying his own farm, or like buying a beat up sail boat, fixing it, teaching himself to sail, and going on to win races for the rest of his life (yes, even this year!).
I feel so grateful that he and my grandma were there for all my birthdays, Halloweens, and countless recitals, games, and other special events. I have so many special memories with him; playing checkers, being on his boat, listening to his stories, bird watching, helping him in the garden, traveling to New Orleans, Spain, and my grandparent’s visit to Iowa for my MM graduation. My brother Graig and I spent a week each summer at my grandparent’s farm which, as a kid, felt like winning the lottery. We always went on exciting adventures with them, ate lots of ice cream, and made so many special memories that I hold close to my heart.
The last gift he gave me was being there for mine and Sam’s wedding last month - always a giver and a family man. I will miss him forever, but cherish the memories and the truly amazing life he lived.
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Kay Curtin posted a condolence
Sunday, September 8, 2024
I am so sorry to learn of Bob’s passing. He was always such fun to spend a little time visiting with.
He had a very special way of wandering into one’s heart; yet I know he has somehow found his way to
the sleekest, fastest sailboat he could ever have hoped to find…sail on, my friend. Sail on!
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The family of Robert F. Eklund uploaded a photo
Saturday, September 7, 2024
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A Memorial Tree was planted for Robert Eklund
Saturday, September 7, 2024
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464 Sherrill Road
Sherrill, New York 13461
T: (315) 363-4110
F: 315-829-3669
E: maleckifuneralhome@centralny.twcbc.com
23 Front Street
Vernon, New York 13476
T: (315) 829-2626
F: 315-829-3669
E: maleckifuneralhome@centralny.twcbc.com