J. Robert Jump

Bob Jump was an amazing man, professor, husband, father and grandfather. He lived a full and wonderful life. He died in his home surrounded by family on July 12, 2025. He is survived by his loving wife, two children and six grandchildren.
J. Robert Jump was born in Kansas City, Missouri on February 15, 1937. He was raised by his two loving parents, Walter Standley Jump and Kathryn Belle Brinkerhoff. He spent his early years with his three siblings in Redmon, Illinois and moved to Winter Park, Florida. His younger sisters Joan and Nancy as well as his younger brother, Standley proceeded Bob's passing. He attended and graduated from Winter Park High School, located in Winter Park, Florida. In Winter Park he developed a love for music, science and the outdoors. He would spend weekends waterskiing and playing music. He had his own dance band, Bob Jump's Rhythmairs.
Bob's love of science initiated his higher education and career. He attended the University of Cincinnati where he received a BS in electrical engineering (1960) and a MS in electrical engineering (1962) while continuing his love for music by playing in the marching band. He received an MS and PhD in electrical engineering (1968) from the University of Michigan. This led to his long career as a university professor. He worked as a professor in the Electrical Engineering/Computer Science departments of Rice University from 1968 to 2002. He touched the lives of countless students through his classes, mentorship and Rice University's college program. Bob published more than 30 articles in professional journals and was a pioneer in computer science.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 63 years, Gerry Louise Jump. He married his college sweetheart, Gerry Louise Becker in 1962 in Steubenville, Ohio. They were the greatest of partners. Bob's love of the outdoors continued with Gerry. They raced sailboats all over Texas, Louisiana and parts of California. They picked up photography as a hobby after Bob retired from Rice University in 2002. They traveled all over the United States focusing on their love of the National Park system. Their fiftieth wedding anniversary was spent taking their kids and grandkids to Yellowstone and Tetons National Parks. For many years they enjoyed a house on Lake Livingston so they could enjoy each other and nature. Bob and Gerry raised two children, Stephen and Kathryn, in the Houston area. Both children settled in Houston which allowed Bob to be a large part in the lives of his 6 grandchildren Megan, Samantha, Sarah, Ender, Benjamin and Arwen.
A memorial service and celebration of his live will be held at 1:00 p.m. July 18, 2025, at St. John's Presbyterian, 5020 West Belfort Ave, Houston, TX 77035. In lieu of flowers the family would ask that you support Bob's love of the outdoors and support the National Park System, www.nationalparks.org