Robert R. HOWELL

SUFFOLK - Robert Ross 'Bob' Howell, 86, of Suffolk, Va., passed away June 3, 2010.
Born Nov. 19, 1923, in Camden, Ala., he was preceded in death by his mother, Annie Demaris Ross Howell; father, Crenshaw Howell; brothers, James T. Howell and David Howell; and his beloved wife of 51 years, Tal Stone Howell.
He is survived by his children, Tal Larguier Howell (Charlie Cox) of Nashville, Tenn., Patricia Ann Howell, Colonial Heights, Va., Robert Ross Howell, Hatteras, N.C., and John Stone Howell, Phoenix, Ariz.; granddaughter, Marion Demaris Larguier Cox; and six nieces and nephews.
After high school, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. As a Second Lieutenant, he fought in WWII as a fighter pilot flying a P51 Mustang. He graduated from Auburn University, married Tal, moved to Virginia and became an aeronautical engineer for NASA. He worked as project manager for the Temperatures Structures Building which housed the hot air wind tunnel and then oversaw the contracting and building of the cryogenic wind tunnel. After retiring he briefly worked as a consultant. He gave his time to his church, Green Acres Presbyterian Church, as a Deacon, volunteered as a Boy Scout leader, and was a member of the Rotary and Ruritan Clubs of Suffolk. He and Tal traveled, spent time in the Virginia mountains, visited and vacationed with their children and played golf as often as possible. Bob will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Lake Prince Foundation, Suffolk, Va., or the Green Acres Presbyterian Church Fund for Retiring Ministers, Portsmouth, Va.
A memorial service is planned for July, with details to be announced.
R. W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family. Condolences may be registered at www.rwbakerfh.com. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.