Robert C. Ekey, 73, of Warren, PA died Sunday, April 26 at his camp in Clarion County, PA. He was born February 9, 1947 in Warren, PA. He was the son of the late Lawrence A. and Mary Dorr Ekey, Sr.
Bob was a 1965 graduate of Warren Area High School. He received a bachelor’s degree in Math and OPS Research Statistics in 1972 as well as a Master’s degree in 1973 in OPS Research, QBA from Penn State University. Bob served in the United States Air Force from 1966-1970, when he was honorably discharged. While serving he was stationed at Ft. Beluon Army Eng School and HQ USAFE in Wiesbaden, Germany.
After graduation, Bob was employed with Standard Brands Foods in Philadelphia, PA and New York City, NY. In late 1976, he returned to Warren and was the Third Generation owner and operator of the family business, Ekey Florist, Greenhouses and Garden Center. He relocated the store to its current location and retired in 2018.
Bob enjoyed all aspects of life, especially spending time with his classmates from WAHS, friends from the military and good friends, the Zaprowski’s, the Hessley’s and his best friend and companion, Linda. He enjoyed skiing, the outdoors and traveling. He traveled throughout the US, N. America and Europe and was a Scoutmaster in Europe. He also enjoyed collectables, old automobiles and antiques. Bob was a member of the Grace United Methodist Church and of the Kiwanis Club of Warren.
Bob is survived by his son, Dr. Robert C. Ekey, Jr. and wife, Betsy of Alliance, OH, his daughter, Dr. Kimberly Ekey Roth and husband, Luke of Huntingdon, PA, and his 3 grandchildren, Charles and Austin Ekey and Nora Roth.
In addition to his parents, Bob is preceded in death by his brother, Lawrence A. Ekey, Jr. and his grandson, Andrew Roth.
Due to state mandates with COVID 19, a private funeral service will be conducted at the convenience of the family with Rev. William Beatty and Rev. Gary Roth, A celebration of Life will be held at a later date and time to be announced.
Interment will be in Oakland Cemetery, Warren, PA. Please send flowers to a loved one in Bob’s memory from a local florist.
Email condolences may be sent by visiting www.lewisfuneralhomeinc.com. The Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc. has been entrusted with arrangements.
Our prayers go out to you all. We loved your father, he was an amazing and kind man.
I’m so sorry to hear this! Bob was such a great guy. My husband, Roger worked for him about 8 yrs ago and thought a lot of him. RIP Bob! Prayers for the family.
I am so sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. He was a kind and gentle man and a good friend. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
So sorry to learn of Bob’s passing. He was such a dear friend to my entire family! He will be dearly missed!
Bob and I were high school classmates. I’m so sorry he’s gone and pray that your memories help you get through this difficult time.
So sorry for your loss ! Bob was a great guy, I worked for him for a short time he was always a gentleman and very helpful going to miss him RIP
Our condolences to the Ekey family. May you have consolation knowing that he is resting with the Lord.
Condolences from Corky and Carolyn Fry and everyone at Warren Tire Center. Bob was a wonderful man. May he Rest In Peace.
Bob was a gentle man. May he Rest In Peace
So sorry for the loss of your beloved father. God Bless you all in your time of this great loss. We are all thinking of you and your family.
So sorry for your loss, your dad was a wonderful man I always looked forward to seeing him each year getting the flowers for the cemetery. Rest in Peace Bob you’ll be missed in the community.
Uncle Bob was such a kind man. So glad we made an effort to get together for family reunions last summer and the year before.
I like to think he has been reunited with his parents and my dad.
I love you, Uncle Bob
Kim, Luke, Nora and family – I am so sorry for your loss. Cherish the memories and take care.
I’m so sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. We were old South Side friends having gone to Seneca School and played at Crescent playground. We were also in Boys outs together were he always out shined us all. He was a good man and a solid friend. God give him rest and keep him, he will be missed.
We were very sorry to learn of Bob’s passing. We learned to get to know him from our many years shopping at Ekey’s. He was a wonderful man and will be missed.
Sorry for your loss. Bob was a good guy, friend that I have known since the grade school years, a fellow vet and classmate. Always enjoyed seeing and talking to him when we would run into one and other.
I loved him dearly and I always thought of him as a brother He was one of the first people I called when came to Warren He never complained about his many health issues and I loved my time with him. A dinner out with Linda and him was an evening of fun He loved his family and kept me up to date with the Ekey’s He was kind, thoughtful, and considerate and the world was a better place with him in it
Sorry that was Joan Perrault not jan
Bob and I met at happy hour, which was a group of retired teachers that met on a regular basis; based on their regular pay date. Tom Hessley, Bob Ekey, Bill Hannold and myself toasted many draft beers on these occasions, in which we solved many of the country’s woes.
Our group had basically the same goals in life, which meant that we really enjoyed getting together every other week.
Last week he indicated that he would really like to get together (based on virus shut ins’) to have a beer or maybe two at the end of a 6-foot table. I rapidly agreed and we were planning on meeting on our back patio, so that we could share several beers and get back to solving some our national woes.
Since he was stationed in Germany, this was a common point of interest, which we both enjoyed discussing. We both love the food and draft beers that were available in the small German communities. It was also very interesting how many of life’s goals and philosophies that we shared.
We both enjoyed our Homestead’s where we grew up. Mine in Torpedo and his in Clarion County. He was very proud of the Homestead and was delighted when he could provide it for his son and daughter to carry on the family heritage.
He always had time to reminisce how great his grandkids were. PS; he was always proud of his son and daughter’s accomplishments.
In conclusion he was really a great individual and will be greatly missed by us and our community.
To the family, Norma and I would like to express our deepest sympathy and recognition to a really great man in accomplishing many of life’s goals in truly an inspirational way.
So sorry to hear about Bob’s passing. We know you all will miss him dearly. Time will ease the loss and grief you have today. Know that we are keeping all of you in our thoughts and prayers.
Bob, my deepest sympathy. I am thankful for your dad’s legacy through you.
I am so sorry for your loss. I’m thinking of you during this time.
I am so sad to hear of Bob’s passing. He was so kind to me and my family and will be greatly missed. Prayers to all the family and friends for his loss.
Our deepest sympathies. Bob was a very special man, a true gentleman. May he rest in the arms of the angels.
I am so sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. He was one of the kindest men I have ever known. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. God Bless you all.
I worked for Bob years ago and here’s the thing … you felt more like you worked “with” Bob. He was dedicated to his business and gave it his all. He truly defined the term gentleman. He was kind and caring. One should be so lucky as to have known someone like Bob at some point in your life. My thoughts are with his family.
Bob was my uncle, and I have many wonderful memories of him from my childhood and as an adult. He was always so kind and caring. We lived in different parts of the U.S. so I did not see him as often I would have liked to, but when I did see him it was always as if we had never been apart. I will miss him, and am blessed to have had him in my life.
Rest in peace, Mr. Ekey. You will be missed.
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your father. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Mr. Ekey helped us pick out some beautiful trees for our home. Always enjoyed going to the greenhouse and getting some tips. Our condolences to his loved ones.
We were so lucky to have Bob, or as he came to be known in our family, “BFB” for Best Friend Bob, after our Dad died. Bob played a big part in our Mom and Dad’s life for over 50 years. Bob was so gentle, so kind, had such a sharp sense of humor, and showed such generosity to my family. Judging by the number of these comments he did so for so many other families in Warren and beyond. Bob, thank you for everything you did for my Dad and for our family. To Bob’s family, thank you for sharing BFB with us. He was a ray of light during a very dark time for us. I will be forever grateful for the memories we shared with Bob and he shared with us. Bob, please tell my Dad we send our love when you see him. We will miss you both forever! Deepest sympathies to his children, his nieces and nephews, and to all who loved Bob. Sending you strength and comfort during this difficult time.
A great loss. What a wonderful life, but too short. Sending prayers for peace.
Uncle Bob was more than an uncle; he was like a father to me. I know he is running the best brewpub/ greenhouse in heaven and that he’s keeping busy fixing old cars with his BFF Tom Hessley. I’m so grateful that I was able to see him three times in the past two years, but I wish so much that I could call him one more time. I love you so much Uncle Bob. Give Gram and my dad big hugs ❤️
We’re so sorry for your loss. Your father was a very special person to us through many years. He was always happy to chat and help us with our flower orders and wishes for every occasion. We will miss him.
The Eberhardt Girls
Sandy, Wendy and Cathy
Bob was a very special friend to me, and many many others. I had the fortunate opportunity of talking briefly by phone, just a few weeks before his passing, as he was enjoying time at the camp, doing some long planned repairs. Bob led a full life full of accomplishment, and will be missed by many_RIP
I am grieved to hear that you lost your father. It’s good to see how many lives he touched from the other comments here.
I am so sorry to hear of his passing. I always appreciate Ekey’s flowers bringing a smile to my family as I’m far away in California on holidays. It sounds like bringing smiles & joy to folks was a Bob Ekey tradition in many ways. Please accept my condolences.