Robert Dye

Robert F. Dye

Friendswood, TX

Robert Fulton Dye, 95, passed away December 10, 2015, at home in Friendswood, TX, with his wife of 68 years, Rebecca, at his side. He was a man of integrity, humility and sincerity—all values that he lived out in his own life. He was also an avid reader and lifelong learner and shared his joy of learning with those around him. He enjoyed traveling, but put devotion to his family and his beloved wife first in everything.

Mr. Dye was born on a farm in rural Gloster, Mississippi to Ethel and Curtis Marion Dye. After graduating from Gloster High School, he worked his way through Mississippi State University, graduating with a degree in Chemical Engineering in January 1943. In the midst of World War II, he entered the U.S. Army, attended Officer Candidate School at Camp Davis, NC, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant, Coast Artillery Corps in May 1943. He was sent to Harvard University and MIT to pursue a specialized course in electronics and radio engineering and subsequently served in the Central Pacific Theater from 1944-1946. He finished his active duty tour as a captain, and continued serving in the reserves into the mid-1960s.

After the war Mr. Dye returned home and married Rebecca Jane Gaston in 1947 in Calhoun City. In the early 1950s he attended Georgia Institute of Technology earning his M.S. ('51) and PhD ('53) in Chemical Engineering. Following completion of his PhD, he worked for ten years for Phillips Petroleum Company in Bartlesville, OK.

In the early 1960s he served for three years as Director of the Mississippi Industrial and Technological Research Commission before joining Shell Development Company in Emeryville, CA and later Houston, TX where he worked for 25 years, retiring 1991. During his career with Phillips and Shell, Mr. Dye was the author of 35 U.S. patents, and an authority on Ethylene Oxide and Ethylene Glycols. Among other professional organizations, he was a Fellow in the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Institute of Chemical Engineering.

In addition to his career, he served as a deacon in Southern Baptist churches throughout his life. Most recently he was a member of First Baptist Church, Friendswood, TX. He was also involved in Kiwanis International for decades, serving as President of the Southwest Houston Kiwanis Club. One of his favorite activities in that organization was raising scholarship money for deserving university students. He also served as Lieutenant Governor for the Texas-Oklahoma District.

Mr. Dye was preceded in death by four brothers and a sister. He is survived by his wife, Rebecca Jane Gaston Dye; three daughters, Rebecca Dye Parkhill (husband Trent) of Winchester, MA, Margaret Dye Baker (husband Wesley) of Friendswood, TX, and Robin Dye-Martin (husband Don) of Richmond, VA. Other survivors include seven grandchildren, Jason Parkhill (wife Kristen), Robert Baker (wife Jamie), Donnie Martin (wife Rebekah), Scott Parkhill, Sarah Martin, Stirling Martin and Kristin Baker; and two great-grandchildren, Caleb and Zooey Parkhill.

Funeral services were Dec. 15 at First Baptist Church, Friendswood, TX. Burial will follow at a later date in Calhoun City, MS. Please contact Pryor Funeral Home, (662) 628-5177, for details.

Condolences may be sent to the Dye family in care of Jeter Memorial Funeral Home at www.jeterfuneralhome.com.