Robert Lee "Bob" Denison

After a full and vibrant 90-year life, Robert “Bob” Lee Denison passed away on Saturday October 19, 2024, at Bethany Lutheran Village. Bob was born May 29, 1934, in Rutland Ohio to Carl Lewis Denison and Marcia Myers Denison, who preceded him in death.

Raised in Rutland, he graduated from Rutland High School in 1952. He then studied Electrical Engineering at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, graduating in 1956 with a bachelor’s degree.

While at Ohio University, Bob was a cadet in the Air Force ROTC program. Commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant upon graduation, he was detailed to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base to begin a nearly half-century career in the Flight Dynamics Laboratory. Released from active service in 1960 as a 1st Lieutenant, he transitioned into a civilian career in the same professional role. Bob continued to serve as a reserve officer until his honorable discharge as a Captain in 1972.

In his long Air Force career, he was widely admired as an expert in computer databases related to military aircraft testing, in high-performance electronics and electro-optics, and in high-altitude IR.

Bob was perhaps most proud of his role as a professional mentor – over the decades he aided and guided the careers of scores of young engineers who worked in his laboratory.

Despite working as a full-time engineer and raising three high-energy boys, Bob still found time to complete a Master’s Degree in Engineering at The Ohio State University in 1970, and pursued extensive post-masters coursework there.

After retiring from Federal Government service in 2002 (after 45 years!), Bob pursued a second career as a Senior Engineer with Universal Technology Corporation (evolved into ARCTOS in 2020) -working well into his 80’s. His son Greg jokes that when he called his Dad for his 82nd birthday, he missed him because he was at work (true story).

He remained an avid reader of aviation technical and trade literature and remained active in professional engineering societies until his passing.

Bob was equally proud of his family life. While working as a young engineer at Wright-Patt, Bob was reacquainted with his future wife Virgnia (nee Helen Virginia Long) at a Rutland High School reunion in 1957. Not technically high school sweethearts, but close enough for government work (LOL). Married on September 15, 1957, they remained together for 65 years until Virginia’s passing in 2023.

Bob and Virginia have three sons – Jeff, Greg (Pat), and Rod. They remember him as a devoted and loving father, Boy Scout leader, soccer and little league coach, and “band Dad”. He impressed upon them the importance of education and the honor of service (Jeff and Greg are both veterans).

He and Virginia loved traveling together - visiting all seven continents, 65 countries, and 49 US states. His three sons took him on an epic train trip to his 50th state – North Dakota – last year at age 89!

Proud grandparent to Jamie Schott (Brian), Kara Denison, and Sophia Denison – and great-grandparent to Elliott Schott and Mia Schott - he is lovingly remembered by all as a constant presence in their lives.

His final gift to his family was a deeply personal one – he had nearly finished scanning, editing, and organizing virtually every family photo he and Virginia had ever taken into a series of annotated video presentations – an incredible archive of their family life.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to St. Vincent Depaul of Dayton (stvincentdayton.org; 124 West Apple Street, Dayton, OH 45402; 937-222-5555).

A celebration of Bob’s life will be held at Christ United Methodist Church at 3440 Shroyer Road, Kettering, OH 45429 on Monday November 11, 2024. Visitation will begin at 10 AM, followed by a memorial service at 11 AM, and then lunch and reminiscing to follow.

The WESTBROCK FUNERAL HOME- Kettering is honored to serve the Denison Family.