Robert 'Bob' L. Elliott

Robert L. Elliott ‘Bob’

Age 95 born September 12, 1929

Resided at Manor House in Seaford, De since 2020, formerly of Georgetown, De

Passed peacefully on April 12, 2025 after a brief illness

Born to the late Charles and Hilda Elliott in Seaford, Bobby, as he was known back then, was the sixth of seven children. Bob spent his young years in Seaford and Bridgeville before his farming family moved to Georgetown.

Bob was a graduate of Georgetown High School Class of 1947 where he was Class President. He took his responsibilities seriously after graduation and planned many class events following graduation including class breakfasts at local restaurants which were attended up until Covid-19!

During 1947-48, Bob owned and operated an Esso gas station in Georgetown with his brother. He then went to work as a lineman for Delmarva Power for 4 years but found his true calling with the Diamond State Telephone company starting as an installer in 1952 and retiring from Verizon management 34 years later. In 1950, he married his high school sweetheart Vera Steigelman and they made their home in Georgetown raising four children. During the 1960’s, he was instrumental in building a radio station for Western Electric at Fort Miles in Lewes to monitor foreign sub activity off the coast of Delaware. He served for one year as president of the Telephone Pioneers and served 2 years on the council’s Board of Directors. Through their involvement in the Pioneers as well as the Mid-Sussex AARP, Bob and Vera enjoyed many bus trips. He was a member of Talking Books, building/repairing assistive technology for the blind for 40 years.

Bob enjoyed having a home garden where he grew fresh vegetables for his family and enjoyed building various projects from wood. He built furniture for his home and even toddler bed frames, desks and book shelves for his grandchildren. His family thought he could repair anything and he was often found tinkering in his back yard shed. In 1969, Bob and Vera had the outside shell of a small cottage built in Bethany Beach and he, along with the assistance of Vera and his 2 older children finished the inside. Many summer vacations were spent in Bethany at the beach or string crabbing from his small boat on the salt pond. He loved taking all of his grandchildren for boat rides on the lagoon and to the Salt Pond. Bob continued to spend his summers at the Bethany Beach cottage long after Vera’s passing.

Bob had been a member of the Masons and the Odd Fellows. He attended St John’s Church at Springfield Crossroads prior to his move to the Manor House. Unfortunately, Bob’s move to the Manor House coincided with the advent of the Covid shut down but once the community opened again, he found the staff and residents very compassionate and truly enjoyed making new friends in his new community.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife Vera to whom he was married to for 48 years, his youngest son Kirk, his 5 older siblings and his dear companion Helen Mumford.

He is survived by his sister Patricia “Patsy” Bryan of Seaford; his children, Keith (Alice) of Laurel, Karin Adkins (Jim) of Harbeson and Karla Riebel; his grandchildren Kevin Elliott, Tommy Riebel (Chanoknan), Krystal Bush (Mark), Jamin Adkins, Kaitlyn Adkins Sepesy (Steven), Drew Adkins (Sarah); 7 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Services:

Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at Short Funeral Services

609 E. Market St. Georgetown, DE

11:00 am Visitation

Noon – Service with burial following at Union Cemetary in Georgetown, De

In lieu of flowers, family suggests contributions to:

Habitat for Humanity

Food Bank of Delaware (Milford, De)

The family wishes to thank all involved in the wonderful care Bob received at the Manor House while he was an independent resident and during his illness at Willowbrook Court, the care he received at Tidal Health Nanticoke and his hospice care through VITAS.