Robert H. Jones

Robert H. Jones Robert H. Jones, 76, a retired Postmaster of Battle Creek, passed away December 29, due to complications from surgery at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. He was born in Pine Ridge, South Dakota to his parents, Robert and Betty Jones, who worked for the US Department of The Interior at the Sioux Reservation. Robert was given the name "Little Eagle Boy" by the Sioux because of the eagles on the official automobile driven by his father. Robert, an only child, grew up in McCook, Nebraska and was a star debater and cornet player and joined the University of Nebraska Varsity Marching Band. He was a member of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity and graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University with a degree in Psychology followed by graduate studies in Industrial Psychology at the University of Omaha. He met Patricia A. McDougall (from Queens, New York) through a Presbyterian youth group and they were married in 1956. Robert took his skills in personnel management to such firms at Husky Oil, the aerospace division of The Martin Co., General Electric and Standard Brands before joining the United States Postal Service in 1972 as Director of Employee and Labor Relations in Indianapolis, IN. Robert was installed as Battle Creek Postmaster in 1990. Upon retirement, Robert accepted assignments with the Pennfield Board of Supervisors, the US Census Bureau and served in a variety of positions at the First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek including Elder, Deacon, and Trustee. He was also a member of the Scottish Rite and the Masonic Temple. He is survived by his wife Patricia, Battle Creek; children, Stephen Jones (and Chris Hill), Chicago, Diana Rhodes (and husband, James), Yakima, WA, and Alex Jones (and wife, Emily Westfield), Indiana; and granddaughters, Jessica and Regan. A private family service will be held at a future date at the family cemetery in Fort Collins, CO. Arrangements were made by the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home. Notes of condolence can be sent to the family in care of the First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek or online by submitting a memory at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.