Obituary of Robert B. Ackerman

Robert B. Ackerman, age 67 of Concord, CA, died suddenly on Tuesday, October 10, 2017 while at his cabin in Effingham, NH.

Born in Orange, NJ, he was the son of the late Robert and Patricia Ackerman.

Bob was a train enthusiast and loved everything about trains. He was fortunate enough to have a job that allowed him to carry out his passion.  He worked for the BART system and held just about every position there was.

Bob was a volunteer at the Niles Canyon Railway.  He was proud to have rebuilt their tamper as part of their Maintenance of Way crew.  His wonderful photography was frequently published in their newsletter. He regularly hosted RC racing at his backyard track in Concord, CA for his friends and their families; some of them have been racing together for over 20 years. He was a member of the Railroaders Old Rails Club.  Bob was also a member of a local flying club where he taught many novices how to fly drones, helicopters and airplanes at Lime Ridge and he was a skilled drone photographer.  He rode one of his fleet of bicycles daily and had recently climbed Mt. Diablo with a local e-bike club.  Bob loved live bands, swing dancing and Frank Sinatra. 

Robert is survived by his fiancée, Anita Dunne, and her two children, Lucas Dunne and Amelia Randall and her husband, Tristan.  He is also survived by his sister, Kathryn Ackerman of Concord, CA; his brother and sister-in-law, Steven and Laura Ackerman of Orefield, PA; his three nephews, Daniel Ackerman and his wife, Liv Yarrow, Scott Ackerman and his wife, Danielle, and Thomas Ackerman and his wife, Katherine, and his three great nieces, Ayse, Cecily and Charlie.

A noon gathering will be held on Saturday, October 14, 2017 at the Restland Memorial Park Chapel, 77 Deforest Ave., East Hanover, NJ.  A service will be held at 12:30 PM. 
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Niles Canyon Railway Society.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Kearns Funeral Home, Whitehouse.