Robert Blake

1944 - 2024

Robert Blake, CW4, USA, Ret.

June 23, 1944 - June 26, 2024

Austin, Texas - Son of Louie May and Allen Francis William Blake, Robert was born in Chipping Norton, England on June 23, 1944. The family immigrated to the United States (Statin Island, NY) when Robert, Bob to his friends and family, was approximately 4 years old. Bob met his lifelong partner and soulmate, Linda Ericson, through his best friend, Val Ericson, whom he met while attending City Polytechnic High School in Brooklyn, NY. Bob loved Linda and the entire Ericson family from the time he entered their tight knit, occasionally nuts, family circle until the very end.

Bob served in the United States Army as a helicopter pilot during Vietnam and continued service in the United States Army Reserves until he retired in 2004 as a Chief Warrant Officer 4. Until his passing, Bob kept in touch with his "Army Buddies" and enjoyed telling stories to anyone that would listen. As a civilian, he worked in the Dallas area for the oil and gas industry and, later, for the Dallas County Sheriff's Office as a forensic chemist "doing drugs." Bob finally retired for good in 2006. Later in 2009 Bob and Linda moved to Austin to be near their family.

Pops had three passions in life – loving and caring for Linda, spoiling grandchildren, and Triumphs. The latter, Linda would call an obsession, but she supported his irrepressible need to buy, fix, race, break, and rebuild Triumphs. That passion will live on through his sons with Gregory's Drooling Moose Racing team and Stephen rebuilding Pop's TR6.

When you met Bob for the first time you were typically greeted with a dry sense of humor that only the British seem to master. He may have poked fun at you in his witty manner only for you to figure it out later. By the end of your meeting, you felt as if you had known Pops for decades.

After his passing, many conversations started with I thought of your mom and dad as second parents. This sums up Pops, he was one of the most caring individuals you ever met.

Pops was preceded in death by his parents, brother Jeremy Allen (Jay), beloved wife of 42 years Linda, and brothers-in-law Lee Ericson and Jay Ericson. He is survived by his sons Stephen and Gregory Blake, their wives Erin and Alison, and his grandchildren Davis, Lena, William, and Presley.

A memorial service is planned for 10am on 20 July 2024 at Lucas Funeral Home in Hurst, Texas. Bob and Linda will be laid to rest at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery with full military honors. Pop's final wishes were that donations be made to the Kidney Foundation https://support.kidney.org lieu of flowers or gifts.