My family has known Bob, Connie, Shane and Scott for over 40 years. I met Bob when we were both assigned to a squadron at NAS Lemoore. My wife met Connie when they worked together.
Bob & Connie are from a small town in north central Iowa as we are.
Bob was a dedicated husband, father and provider. With Connie they raised 2 sons, Shane and Scott. When Bob was away deployed with the U.S. Navy Connie, like all Navy wives, had to be both Mother and Father.
Bob joined the Navy after he graduated from high school at Hampton, Iowa. As with any military person he spent extended time away from his family deployed sailing to faraway lands. During his Navy career he was able to visit the Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Kenya, Australia, and Japan.
In the 22 years Bob spent in the Navy he was trained and worked as an aviation jet mechanic and later as an aviation maintenance manager. He rose through the ranks achieving the second highest Navy enlisted rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer. His quiet, thoughtful style still gives to the Navy as the junior sailors he trained to perform maintenance on aircraft, jet engines and components trained others.
I have been told that to get over the death of a loved one, a spouse, a parent, grandparent, or a friend it takes time and you need to remember the good times that left you with pleasant memories or stories of that person. I have a couple to share. 
There was the time Bob and a group of 5 or 6 of us decided we would ride our motorcycles to Fallon Nevada on detachment. We took the short scenic route, should have taken 5 or 6 hours, through Yosemite National Park. It took us a day and a half as we stopped frequently in the park to enjoy the view. It was getting dark by the time we exited the parks east entrance. Since it was dark we camped out at the first place we found. We pitched our sleeping bags under a large tree that had river rocks covering the ground, but we made the best of it. We started a camp fire and that drew out the Bats that were living there so we put the fire out and went to sleep. When we awoke the next morning we packed up the bikes and continued to Fallon. We hadn't gone more than  mile and in the day light we saw a grassy picnic area we could have camped at instead of sleeping on the rocks.
The Navy ships have what they call a Tiger Cruise where you were allowed to bring a relative onboard at the end of the cruise to make the 5 day transit from Pearl Harbor to home port in San Diego. In 1985 Bob was ships company and I was in a squadron onboard the USS Constellation we brought our sons to Hawaii. We actually had 3 days in port so we could tour Oahu. Bob and I rented a car and took Shane, Scott, and Scott all over the Island. One thing they wanted to do was go to the North Shore and body surf at the famous Banzai and Sunset Beach. That was much tougher than they thought. We took them around the island seeing the sights. Then it was aboard the ship for the 5 day transit where they went all over the ship on guided and unguided tours.
There was a group of us helping move to a new house. We had Connie's large china hutch in the truck when it jumped out into the street on its own. Connie wasn't happy with us, but Bob repaired it.
Bob lived a good life but he was taken too soon. Bob until we meet again may you have Fair Winds and Following Sea on this your final journey.

Bob was a great person to my husband and I Tom mccalvy and Shelly mccalvy we are so sorry for your loss he will be a person we will never forget his jokes and his Witt of personality and dedication to anything he did he is already greatly missed we would have come to services but we just found out our prayers be with the family R.I.P. Bob the McCalvy Family

I'm in total denial, Robert. We just talked last Monday. I'm going to miss the share crap involving your love for Republicans and the NRA and my dislike for both of them. I'm thankful for all the messages we would share about life in general. Yes Robert, you did love your country. My friend, we will see each other again.

So Sorry to read this.  When Connie thought maybe Bob would come to Hampton this summer I was looking forward seeing him after so many years. Look me up when you get back to Hampton.  He was really a great guy!!!!

I am in such shock and complete sadness.  Connie we had just taked about him maybe coming this summer.  Look me up when you get back to Hampton.  I am so sorry-he was always a great guy.

I am so sorry for your loss.  May God give you comfort and peace through this time of sorrow.  Thinking of you and the boys.

So sorry for your loss.  We'll be thinking of you and your family plus hoping you will find peace and comfort in your time of sorrow.  God bless all of you.

OBITUARY

Robert M. Eitel

December 20, 1949 – June 21, 2016

People’s Funeral Chapel

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services