Dr. Robert Winston Eckert, 84, of Springfield passed away in his home on Sunday, July 10, 2011. He was born on December 9, 1926, in Sedalia, Missouri. He graduated from William Jewell College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering. He attended medical school in Kansas City, Missouri, with his internship and five-year surgical residency in Los Angeles, CA. He married the love of his life, Shirley Jeanne Roth, at a formal ceremony on June 10, 1950.
Dr. Eckert had a medical and surgical practice in Los Angeles, CA, until his retirement to the Ozarks in 1977. He continued his medical career as a surgeon and then became medical director in later years at the U. S. Medical Center for Federal Prisoners until his retirement. He maintained a medical license for 60 years.
He was a lifetime masonic member of Cass Lodge #147, Harrisonville, MO, as well as maintained a dual membership at United 5 Lodge and participated in various men and women masonic organizations in Springfield. He was also a member of the Missouri Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Sydney F. Eckert and Pauline Parks Eckert. His is survived by his wife of 61 years, Shirley, of the home; a daughter, Shirley Jeanne Eckert Hodgson; a son, Robert W. Eckert II and his wife, Debbie; a grandson, Robert W. Eckert III all of Springfield, Mo and two granddaughters, Emily Jeanne and Sarah Jeanne Miller of Fredericksburg, VA.
No formal funeral service is planned.
Because of his love of books and the library, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Springfield-Greene County Library Foundation, P O Box 760, Springfield, MO 65801-0760.