Robert E. Eastwood

Robert E. “Bob” Eastwood, 73, of Fort Sumner, NM died January 28, 2000. He was born October 1, 1926 in Tolar, NM to the home of Herman G. “Pug” and Gladys (Williams) Eastwood. He was reared at Tolar and attended schools in Taiban and Fort Sumner where he graduated in 1944. He later attended Eastern New Mexico College. He married Nora Shoemaker on June 12, 1945 in Fort Sumner. Bob served in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1946. His tour of duty took him to the Philippines, and northern Japan. Following his discharge, Bob and his brother Johnny Eastwood formed Eastwood Construction Company at Taiban, NM where they operated a gravel pit that was worked by his father and grandfather. Bob and Nora owned and operated Gambles Hardware store in Fort Sumner for many years. He retired from the business in 1983 but continued to operate his backhoe and dump truck business with his son Johnny. Bob was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church in Fort Sumner. He served three terms on the Fort Sumner Village Council. Bob served ten years on the Board of Eastern New Mexico Natural Gas Company and was a longtime board member of the Fort Sumner Cemetery Association. Bob was honored as Grand Marshal of the Old Fort Days Parade in 1999. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Dallas Park in Fort Sumner. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Billy Eastwood a sister, Loretta Faye Eastwood, and his wife Nora Mae Eastwood who died August 25, 1996. Survivors include a daughter Janet Eastwood of Tucumcari, NM; a son Johnny Eastwood of Fort Sumner; four grandchildren Nicki Balzano, Katie Eastwood, Megan Eastwood and Kevin Balzano, and a brother Johnny Eastwood of Clovis. Funeral services were held at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, February 1, 2000 from the First United Methodist Church in Fort Sumner with Rev. Monty Leavell officiating. Burial followed in the Eastwood family plot in Fort Sumner Cemetery. Pallbearers will be C.V. Thompson, Stormy Boyles, Taylor Turnbow, Justin Ingram, Chris Steele, Emil Bigler, and Gregg Carnell. Visitation was held Sunday and Monday from 1PM to 6PM at the Chavez Funeral Home in Fort Sumner. The family prefers memorials to the Fort Sumner Cemetery Association, or the De Baca County Veterans Memorial c/o Village of Fort Sumner, P.O. Box 180, Fort Sumner, NM 88119. All arrangements entrusted to Chavez Funeral Home in Fort Sumner. (505) 355-2311.