Robert Dunn Obituary
Dr. Dunn passed away on September 22, 2024, in Chandler.
Robert Wesley Dunn was born on January 9, 1943, in Monroe, Michigan. He was the son of Laurel Newton Dunn and Georgia Nell (Mewshaw) Dunn. He graduated from Waco High School in 1961 and taught in the Waco area until he joined the military. Bob served in the United States Air Force for 20 years, during which he earned his PhD and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. Throughout his service, he worked as an instructor, aircraft maintenance officer, and physicist in various locations nationwide, including New Jersey, South Carolina, Texas, Ohio, New Mexico, Colorado Springs, and New York. After his military service, he taught physics at Hendrix College in Arkansas for over 25 years before retiring. His interests led him to research projects on earthquakes and hurricanes, and he spent four summers in New Zealand researching ring laser gyroscopes. In his free time, he enjoyed jogging. Bob lived a full life and made a lasting impact. While his absence will be deeply felt, his legacy will continue through the lives of those he influenced.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include his wife, Aneda Dunn of Chandler; his daughters, Susan Dunn-Hensley and husband Robert of Wheaton, Illinois, Jennifer Dunn of Chandler, and Alison Dunn of Boulder, Colorado; his brother, Charles Dunn and wife Marian of Fayetteville, Arkansas; and his grandchildren, James Hensley and wife Talia Faia-Hensley, Elizabeth Hensley, Mary Kate Hensley, Anna Hensley, and Lydia Hensley.
A visitation will be held on Friday, September 27, 2024, from 6-8:00 p.m. at Chandler Memorial Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, Texas 75701.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Chandler Memorial Funeral Home family.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
6 Entries
Sonia Barlow
September 28, 2024
Although I was not a science major and only took one physics class my entire life (the "physics-for-non-science-major intro), Dr. Dunn made such an impact on my life and I still think of him to this day. He really piqued all of our interest in physics, and while it was hard, he made it fun. He taught us how to think about things in the world, which was the most valuable lesson. He also reminded me so much of my own dad (a military man himself who never missed an opportunity to insert a funny quip into any conversation) who was the same age and also passed away a couple months ago at age 81. They don´t make guys like that anymore. May his memory be a blessing.
Suzanne Hansen
September 28, 2024
I am very grateful for the opportunity to learn from Dr. Dunn. He was such a wonderful teacher that always included humor in every class. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Lauren (Kendall) Barker
September 26, 2024
Dr. Dunn was my research mentor and professor during my time at Hendrix. He was always willing to spend extra time answering questions and having discussions which inspired me continue my research and education. I owe a lot of my current career to him as he encouraged me to apply to graduate school with one of his research colleagues, and I am now ten years into my career in geophysics. I will remember him as a patient person whose generosity, humility, and kindness were at the forefront. My thoughts are with his family.
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Jennifer Peszka
September 25, 2024
Bob was a physicist at Hendrix when I started teaching there. I am in the psychology department and often physicists don't treat psychology like a science--especially back then. But Bob was different. He encouraged me to apply for a grant that he helped to manage, some years he gave up money for his own research to encourage me to apply for what he could have had himself. He'd say "Jennifer, I've been drinking from this trough for years, it's your turn". He didn't have to do that. He didn't have to respect my part of science, it wasn't in the culture of physicists out in the world. He didn't have to want to mentor me to be a committed researcher while being at a place that values teaching far above research. It was remarkable and not something to be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers with his family.
Jay McDaniel
September 25, 2024
I remember Bob as a great colleague at Hendrix College, always interested in helping students and encouraging their research. He was a physics teacher par excellence!
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