Robert Leo Vecellio

Robert Vecellio, 83, of Opelika, AL, formerly of Ironton, OH passed away on February 28, 2026. He was born January 7, 1943 to the late Frank R. and Mary C (O’Keefe) Vecellio.

Rob attended Saint Joseph High School in Ironton, OH, graduating in 1960. He attended Marshall University and later The Ohio State University earning bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees in civil engineering.

He was a professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Auburn University in Auburn, AL for 39 years. He was a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, serving as President of the Alabama Section in 2002-03. He was a member of the Institute of Transportation Engineers, serving as President in 1981-82, and advised Auburn’s student chapter from 1976 to 2003. He also served on the Boards of Directors of several other Alabama corporations. He was a member of Saint Mary’s Church in Opelika, where he enjoyed volunteering his time.

He is survived by his four sisters, Ann Thacker of Springfield, OH, Carolyn Kline and Rita (Sam) Jones of Ironton, OH, and Mary “Cookie” (Fred) Roush of Franklin Furnace, OH, and several nieces and nephews. 

In addition to his parents, Rob was preceded in death by his wife, Pauline Vecellio, his brother, Francis Vecellio, two step children, Doug Reichert and Linda Reichert, and brother-in-law, James Kline. 

His service will be at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral home on Saturday, March 7, officiated by Father Gilbert Pierre. Visitation starts at 10 a.m. with the funeral beginning at 11 a.m. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Robert L. Vecellio Legacy Transportation Engineering Endowed Scholarship. Checks can be made payable to Auburn University Foundation PO Box 3140 Auburn, AL 36831-3140, noting the scholarship in memo.