Robert “Bob” Quinn Celko, age 65, died Wednesday, June 5, from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. Bob was born in Atlanta, GA to the late Joseph and Vendetta Quinn Celko. He proudly served his country as a sergeant in the U.S. Air Force.
Bob retired from Xerox in 2007 with 34 years as a service technician starting in Atlanta and then finishing in Durham, NC. He loved hiking, camping, nature, and photography. He was a volunteer with Troop 492 of the Boy Scouts of America and enjoyed his trip to Philmont with them in 1991. He was an avid woodworker and voracious science fiction reader and had a quirky sense of humor that everyone loved and will miss. In his retirement he rekindled his love of motorcycle riding and enjoyed the many outings and challenging rides along with the fellowship of new friends and fellow bike lovers in the BMW Sport Touring Group.
Bob is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Janet Greene Celko of Durham, NC; his son, Matthew Celko, also of Durham; his brother, Joseph Celko, Jr. and wife, Jackie, of Austin, TX; mother-in- law, Helen Greene Hampton; in-laws, Dianne Greene and Bob Brown; Cynthia Greene; Jim & Elizabeth Greene and Katie and James; and Joni & Bill Russell and Andy. He was preceded in death by his sister, Patricia Celko.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, June 10, from Duke Memorial United Methodist Church with the Reverend Ginger Thomas officiating. A private cremation service will follow at Hall-Wynne Crematory.
Friends may visit Sunday afternoon from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at Hall-Wynne Funeral Service in Durham.
Flowers are acceptable or donations may be made to the Durham Rescue Mission, 507 E. Knox St., Durham, NC 27701; or to the American Red Cross, Central North Carolina Chapter, 4737 University Dr., Durham, NC 27707.
On-line memorials: www.hallwynne.com.
Stella Sieber
June 7, 2013 at 12:00 amDearest Jan & Matt, Ralph came to tell me at work today about your loss. Prayers, thoughts & love to you & your extended family. So many great memories of us as neighbors in Marywood….
Stella Sieber
June 7, 2013 at 12:00 amDearest Jan & Matt, Ralph came to tell me at work today about your loss. Prayers, thoughts & love to you & your extended family. So many great memories of us as neighbors in Marywood….
Col George O Lewis, USAF Ret
June 8, 2013 at 12:00 amThank you, Bob, for your service to our country.
Tom Schuster
June 8, 2013 at 12:00 amJanet and Mathew
You both have been in my thoughts and prayers since I got the news about Bob Wednesday afternoon.Xerox transferred me to Raleigh in ’95 and I had enjoyed Bob’s humor and company until he retired. I would often come across Bob on a hot weekday afternoon in his S10 at a curb under a shade tree eating his lunch enjoying a book. He never failed to make me laugh and lighten my day. He was a special kind of guy.
Gerald and Martha Long
June 8, 2013 at 12:00 amDear Janet and Matthew, We are so sorry for the loss of Bob, husband and father. He will be missed and our prayers go out to the family who loved him. May God bless each and every one of you.
Joe Celko
June 8, 2013 at 12:00 amJoe & Jackie Celko
Mourine O Todd
June 8, 2013 at 12:00 amI am truly saddened to hear of your recent loss of your husband. I would like to express my sincere condolences to you and your family.
George F. Smith
June 8, 2013 at 12:00 amI worked with Bob for many years at Xerox. I enjoyed working with him and am saddened to learn of his passing. May God’s peace and blessings be with you.
Teresa Browning
June 9, 2013 at 12:00 amCelko Family,
Sorry for your loss, Bob was a good friend and a funny person to be around. I has the pleasure to serve with him in the Air Force he was a great leader with a tender heart. He knew how to lead and how to be compassionate also. May God be with you during this time.
Vicki Snipes-Thomas
June 10, 2013 at 12:00 amI was saddened to hear of Bob’s passing.I met him through Xerox many years ago when he serviced equipment at RTI. He really did have a quirky sense of humor that oftentimes went right over my head.My thoughts and prayers are with you and may God grant you peace through this sad time.
Becky Pattishall
June 10, 2013 at 12:00 amSo sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. He always brightened my day! You and Matt are in my prayers. Psalms 91 and especially verse 4 gives great comfort.
Walter E. Shepherd
June 13, 2013 at 12:00 amTo Mrs. Bob Celko and Family-Please accept our sincerest condolences on the passing of Cousin Bob. Walter and Kay Shepherd, 1st Cousin of BobMy mother Edrie was a younger sister of Bob’s Mother Vendetta
Jim & Vyta Puleo
June 14, 2013 at 12:00 amMy husband Jim’s mother, Verdie, and Bob’s mother were sisters. You are in our thoughts and prayers and we send you our love and condolences. With faith in God we know that Bob is in a wonderful peaceful place.
Dawn Marsh
June 15, 2013 at 12:00 amJanet and family
I had the pleasure of working with Bob at Xerox. While I didn’t work with him on a day to day basis, being in Personnel I talked with him occasionally and saw him at meetings. Bob was always so much fun to talk to with his dry sense of humor. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Susan Babcock
June 16, 2013 at 12:00 amDear Janet,Matthew and family, May the peace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ rule in your hearts.I am Zettie Quinn Brown’s daughter.One of Vendetta’s younger sisters.We are so sorry to hear of Bobs passing,But know he is in a far better place. Our love to all. Cousin Susan
Marie Reynolds
October 1, 2013 at 12:00 amJanet and Matthew,
I just learned of Bob’s passing. I am so sorry for your loss. Please know I will be praying for you both.