Robert "Bob" Calvin Eller, Sr.

Robert (Bob) Calvin Eller, Sr. 82, passed away at Gordon Hospice House on Wednesday, July 1, 2015 in Statesville, North Carolina.   Bob was a son of the late Thomas Irving Eller and Sallie Caroline Severt Eller. Born in Moravian Falls, NC, Bob graduated from Wilkes Central High school in 1950 where he played football, participated in the ROTC program and served as class president.  The class has retained a special closeness throughout the years.   Continuing his education, Bob earned his Civil Engineering degree at North Carolina State University, graduating in 1954.  After graduating, he married Gwyn Lowery Keever.  They remained a devoted couple until her recent passing in May of this year.    Shortly after their marriage, they moved to Tennessee where Bob worked for the Tennessee Valley Authority.  Relocating back to NC, Bob fulfilled his military obligation with the US Army and later joined Crowder Construction Company in Charlotte where he served as a Vice President of the Utilities Division.  He remained there until he had the opportunity to become a partner in an engineering firm in Statesville, NC.  Bob joined with Joe Evans to form Evans, Eller and Associates, retiring from the firm in 1989.  Active in the community, he served as an officer with the Statesville Kiwanis Club as well as deacon at various Presbyterian churches. Bob was a man of varied interests.  An avid NC State fan, he enjoyed sports, the outdoors and the many wonders of nature taking special interest in wild flowers, gardening and fishing.  His happiest times were spent in the mountains of North Carolina at his “farm” where he enjoyed raising cattle, sheep and horses as well as entertaining friends and family.  In his later years, he developed an interest in genealogy, devoting time to researching and contacting various people across the country, in order to learn more about his ancestry. Surviving are his children, Robert (Bobby) C. Eller (Sally) of Statesville, his daughter Jackie Eller Jordan (Mark) of Columbia, SC; grandchildren Frank Parlier (Faylon), Johanna Jordan Funderburg (Josh), Andrew Jordan and great grandchild, Cameron Parlier; brother Thomas Irving Eller, II and “sister” Susan Severt Whitesides, (Charles). The family extends a special thank you to the staff and care givers at the Gordon Hospice House, whose care and devotion provided a peaceful and dignified place of respite during Bob’s brief illness. A funeral service celebrating Bob’s life will be held at the chapel of Nicholson Funeral Home in Statesville, NC, on Monday, July 6th at 2:00 PM with internment at Oakwood Cemetery, Statesville, NC. The family will receive friends at 1:00 PM prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Gordon Hospice House, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625, or to Laurel Fork Presbyterian Church, 15232 NC Highway 18 S, Laurel Springs, NC. 28644.