Skip to content

Today in History – June 28, 1965 – US Forces launch first major offensive in the Vietnam War.

28 June 1965 – U.S. forces launch the first major offensive in the Vietnam War. “In the first major offensive ordered for U.S. forces, 3,000...

Read More
Join The SSS Manage Your Dues or
Update Your Bio Create a New Bio or
  • Home
  • History
    • About The SSS
    • Headed West
    • Biographies
    • Today in F-100 History
    • SSS Caterpillar
    • Wall of Honor
    • Unit Patches & Other F-100-Associated Imagery
    • F-100 Information
    • Friends of the Super Sabre
    • N. American F-100 Super Sabre
  • Galleries
  • The Intake
    • About The Intake: Journal
    • The Intake: Journal of the Super Sabre Society – Archives
  • Member’s
  • What’s New
  • Contact
  • Log In
  • Help Me Login
Menu
  • Home
  • History
    • About The SSS
    • Headed West
    • Biographies
    • Today in F-100 History
    • SSS Caterpillar
    • Wall of Honor
    • Unit Patches & Other F-100-Associated Imagery
    • F-100 Information
    • Friends of the Super Sabre
    • N. American F-100 Super Sabre
  • Galleries
  • The Intake
    • About The Intake: Journal
    • The Intake: Journal of the Super Sabre Society – Archives
  • Member’s
  • What’s New
  • Contact
  • Log In
  • Help Me Login

Eccles, Robert J.

  • Home
  • Biography
  • Biographies
  • Eccles, Robert J.

Robert J. Eccles, Jr.

Preferred Name: Rob
Date of Birth: December 6, 1938
Headed West: January 30, 2018
Highest Military Grade Held: 0-3 – Captain
Hometown: Alexandria, VA
Biography
Pilot Information
Biography

After graduating from Bernards High School in Bernardsville, NJ, Robert married his high school sweetheart, Jean Ortman Eccles, in 1960 and served as a captain in the United States Air Force for six years piloting the F-100 Super Sabre jet in the Vietnam War.

Upon his honorable discharge in late 1965, he flew as a commercial pilot for United Airlines for 33 years until retirement in 1998.

Robert J. Eccles (Capt USAF) “Headed West” on January 30, 2018.

Bob Eccles of Bridgewater, NJ passed away Tuesday, January 30, 2018. Robert was born in Alexandria, VA to John H. and Lillian “Jane” Eccles.

After graduating from Bernards High School in Bernardsville, NJ, Robert married his high school sweetheart, Jean Ortman Eccles, in 1960 and served as a captain in the United States Air Force for six years piloting the F100 Super Sabre jet in the Vietnam War.

Upon his honorable discharge in late 1965, he flew as a commercial pilot for United Airlines for 33 years until retirement in 1998.

Robert and Jean happily raised their children in Bridgewater and enjoyed winters in their home in Bonita Springs, FL. An avid bluegrass music fan, Robert enjoyed playing guitar with his musical friends. A pilot’s pilot, he also flew various aircraft at Somerset Airport with fellow aviation enthusiasts. As a skilled mechanic, he could usually be found in “Ec’s Garage” whistling while he worked.

He will forever be remembered with love and dearly missed by his wife of 57 years, Jean, his children Susan Eccles, Nancy Cloutier (Nick), Robert Eccles, Jr. “Skip” (Patti), his grandchildren Alexandra and Elizabeth Cloutier, Taylor Eccles, and Michelle Pirrello, and his entire extended family and many dear friends.
He is predeceased by his parents and sister Jane Moore.

The Eccles family is grateful for the loving support of friends and family as we honor the memory of “Ec – The Big Guy.”

~Blue Skies and Tailwinds Forever~

Pilot Information

Units Assigned

  • 356th Tactical Fighter Squadron
  • 531st Tactical Fighter Squadron (F-100)

Awards & Decorations

Flight Info

F-100

Military & Civilian Education

Civilian Education:

  • Bernards High School, NJ

Our Mission

The mission of the Super Sabre Society is to preserve the history of the F-100 Super Sabre and the men who flew the aircraft.

Follow Us

Copyright © 2022 Super Sabre Society
Website by: Heart and Soul Web Design
Scroll to Top