Robert Dean “Bob” Eklund

Robert Dean ìBobî Eklund, 83, of Hendersonville, passed away Saturday, September 17, 2011, at Elizabeth House after a period of declining health. A native of St. Paul, MN, he lived in Minneapolis, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, and Chicago before moving to Henderson County in the 1970ís. He was a son of the late Clarence and Ethel Eklund, and was also preceded in death by his eldest daughter, Dianne Lynn Eklund, who died in 1984. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Minnesota. He was employed with Olin Corporation for thirty years, and Flexel Corporation as sales manager for domestic and international markets for four years. He was drafted out of the University of Minnesota in 1946, and served as an Army Cryptographer. He was a member of the Lutheran Church of the Nativity in Arden.

Bob was very active in his community. After retiring, he did fundraising for the Hendersonville Symphony, the YMCA, and Pardee Hospital. He mentored an elementary school student through the local Boys Club. In 2006 Bob and Doris Eklund received the Pardee Hospital Foundationís ìHealthcare Philanthropist of the Yearî award. In 2010 Bob and Doris received the Richard C. and Vina L. Sauer Charitable Leadership Award from the Community Foundation of Henderson County. In 1994, he was elected County Commissioner and served for four years, two of them as Chairman. He served on the boards of Smart Start, the United Way, Pardee Hospital, Council on Aging, the YMCA, and Trend Mental Health Services. He belonged to the Daybreak Lions Club (past president), the University Club, the Hendersonville Country Club, the American-Scandinavian Foundation and the University of North Carolina Rams Club. Bob was an avid sports fan who enjoyed watching sports, (especially UNC), and also participating in golf, swimming, walking and table tennis.

Survivors include his wife of sixty years, Doris Andersen Eklund; two daughters, Debbie Wilkins and her husband Jim of Charlotte, Dawn Holland and her husband David of Fletcher; a son Dean Eklund and his wife Pamela of Beavercreek, OH; eight grandchildren, Erin Roddy, Kristin Wilkins, David Wilkins, Tessa Holland, Lee Holland, William Holland, Elisabeth Eklund, Emily Eklund; and a brother, Clyde Eklund and his wife Marilyn of St. Paul, MN.

A memorial service will be at 11:00 am Friday in the Lutheran Church of the Nativity, Arden. The Rev. Mark Fitzsimmons and Vicar Ingrid Schalk will officiate. A reception will be from 3 to 5 pm Friday in The Harbor at Lake Pointe Landing. Memorials may be made to Pardee Hospital Foundation, 800 N. Justice St., Hendersonville, NC 28791, Daybreak Lions Club, P.O. Box 6023, Hendersonville, NC 28793, or Henderson County Council on Aging, 105 King Creek Blvd., Hendersonville, NC 28792. Flowers are welcome.