Robert Matthew Ekes

Robert "Bob" Ekes, 73, husband of Rosemary Coldiron-Ekes, passed away Monday, April 3, 2023 at University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington. He was born November 24, 1949 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to the late John & Louise Prohl Ekes. A retired Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Bob was educated at the University of Illinois in Urbana, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology & History, a Master of Arts in Anthropology & Asian Studies, & Master of Social Work. In his professional career, he received his LCSW license in the state of Kentucky, upon which he was qualified to supervise MSW clinicians, evaluate patients for court ordered involuntary hospitalization, and to work in his own private practice. He worked for the Bluegrass Regional Mental Health/Mental Retardation Board, a 17 county agency. He served as mental health therapist, administrator, clinical reviewer, consultant, and adjunct professor for Eastern Kentucky University. He retired in 2011. He met an attractive, intelligent, and humorous woman who was office manager at one of the county clinics. He found her to have a gentle disposition and a forgiving nature. He and Rosemary were married in a mountain meadow in Colorado, providing him with two step-sons & four step-grandchildren. Bob was always interested in travel and learning about other places and the history, culture, traditions, beliefs, and behaviors of their people. He traveled through 46 of the lower 48 states and lived in the mountains of Mexico for 3 month doing research among the Nahuatl Indians. He wandered through India for 4 months. He also attempted to travel through time by excavating burial mounds on the Mississippi bluffs with the Illinois Archaeological Survey and through experimental archaeology and living history of the colonial American period by serving as the Fort Boonesboro Militia captain. After his retirement, he and Rosie enjoyed visiting with friends & family and traveling wherever and whenever they wanted. He also enjoyed minor writing, organic gardening, and target shooting with both black powder & modern firearms. Survivors include: wife Rosemary Coldiron-Ekes; step-sons Donnie (Elizabeth) Powell, Jr. & Travis Powell (Heather Gough); brother John (Ellen) Ekes; sisters Bonnie Appel & Bette Yentz; and step-grandchildren Shay (Damon) Trent, Payton Powell, Abby Powell, & Xander Powell. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by step-grandson Taydon Powell. No public services were held.

Robert Matthew Ekes

November 24, 1949 - April 3, 2023