Robert Howard Morecock

December 21, 1934 - April 6, 2019

Robert Howard Morecock, also known as Bob by loved ones, was born December twenty first, 1934 and passed recently April sixth, 2019 at the age of 84. The cause of death was heart failure. Bob was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He will be sorely missed by many, including his beloved wife of 61 years, Betty Jo, his three children and six grandchildren. Bob Morecock was a man who could bring any room to life with his booming laugh and the mischievous twinkle in his eye that came with it. It’s quite upsetting that God chose to take Bob so soon. But heaven has another angel now. Bob was born in Richmond, raised in Amelia County and graduated Amelia High in 1952. He attended VMI Class of 1956 and married after completion of his junior year. Bob continued his education at VPI and graduated in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering; eventually becoming one of the Old Guard. During his early years of marriage Bob served his country with a short term of active duty in the Army followed by six years in the National Guard. After graduation he moved his young family to Richmond to work for VDOT in the Central Office Bridge Division, and soon was on the move again as he was selected as VDOT’s 1st District Bridge Engineer for VDOT’s Fredericksburg District in 1966. Fredericksburg District is home to the most moveable span bridges in Virginia, which gave Bob tremendous pride. He served the Commonwealth with distinction in this capacity until he retired in 1992 after 32 years of service. Many who knew him commented that Bob was a Bridge Engineer’s Bridge Engineer. Post-VDOT he was sought after for his bridge expertise. He went to Kuwait and completed a substantial review of damage to the country’s bridge infrastructure after the first Gulf War. He also went to North Dakota to work for FEMA after the Red River flood. There he helped get fresh water to the people, and helped farmers get from one flooded field to another through the use of temporary Bridges and/or other routes. He returned to Virginia and worked on a number of bridges including the Norris Bridge over the Rappahannock River. Bob completed his bridge engineering career overseeing the construction of today’s two West Point bridges, the Lord Delaware over the Mattaponi River and the Eltham Bridge over the Pamunkey River. In retirement Bob enjoyed his hobbies – HAM radio, the water, travel, and Bob and Betty Jo’s cats. Bob loved his main hobby, HAM radio. He had been “tinkering” as a HAM for over fifty years communicating with many parts of the world and helping service men and women connect with loved ones. He achieved the highest level of operator class, Amateur Extra, from the FCC and was active in a number of organizations including ARRL, WAARC, VFN, FISTS, and QRZ. In 2016 he received a certificate from the Quarter Century Wireless Association for 55 years of activity. An avid boater, fisherman, and at times a sailor, he taught his children the love of water from an early age so that they were able to enjoy boating, swimming, and fishing as a family. He was an active member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary for many years and taught Boating Safety courses to people in and around Fredericksburg and the surrounding Counties. He and his wife had pools at several of their homes for family and friends to enjoy. Bob also loved to travel and see different parts of the US, Canada, and beyond. Just a few days before his passing, Bob was on a cruise with his wife and daughter to and from Cuba. It’s quite clear that they all had a great time on the trip, and it was absolutely the best way to end many decades of happiness and love. Bob will always be lovingly remembered by his family and friends. Bob was active in the Presbyterian community first as a Deacon at the Fredericksburg Presbyterian Church and later as an Elder at Brett Reed Memorial Presbyterian in West Point. He had a love of God according to his only daughter Martha Eddy, “He and mother had a habit of reading the bible each morning, based on input from their church.” Bob was a generous and loving Southern gentleman. His family was a source of great pride and priority. “I remember when I was around 5 years old,” Alexandra Eddy, his granddaughter, says, “I remember how he would always have Little Cat resting on his chest as he played computer games on his computer, or fiddled with his HAM radio. Sometimes I would wander in and wanted to lay on him, just like the cat. He would always make her move for me.” The Morecocks had two homes, one in Mattaponi and one in Fredericksburg. It’s safe to say the one in Fredericksburg, known by all as “The Land,” was his favorite and thankfully, he was able to pass on to Heaven at the Land with his wife Betty Jo by his side along with one of his grandsons, Collin. He passed away in his favorite spot surrounded by family. Bob thoroughly enjoyed his retirement in the West Point community fostering friendships through the West Point Ruritan Club activities and several times a week at the YMCA exercise classes. Bob was predeceased by his parents Howard Mann Morecock, Jr. and Nell Grigsby Morecock. He is survived by his loving wife Betty Jo Collins Morecock, and his three children – Robert H. Morecock Jr. (and his wife Marian) of Stafford, VA, Martha Annette Morecock Eddy (and her husband Craig) of Richmond, VA, and Steven Morris Morecock (and his wife Elizabeth) of North Easton, MA. Bob was the grandfather of six: Joseph Angelo Morecock (and his wife Alex Katherine), Robert Collin Morecock, Christiane Marra Morecock, Sarah Michelle Morecock, Alexandra Nell Eddy, and Heather Alisha Morecock. He is also survived by seven first cousins, many nieces/nephews, his VDOT family, and friends from both homes. Sadly, Little Cat died one day before Bob. The family will receive friends 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 13th at Vincent Funeral Home, 417 11th Street, West Point, VA 23181. A funeral service will be held 3 p.m. Sunday, April 14th at Brett-Reed Presbyterian Church, 29680 King William Road, West Point, VA 23181. Interment will be 1 p.m. Monday in Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, VA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to a local SPCA/Humane Society or to the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech, either on-line at https://give.vt.edu/ , or by checks made payable to The Virginia Tech Foundation, Inc., and can be mailed to Virginia Tech Advancement (0336), Office of Gift Accounting, 902 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, VA 24061.