Mr. Robert Edward Follensbee

1932 - 2018

Mr. Robert Edward Follensbee obituary, 1932-2018, Westminster, CA

Mr. Robert Edward Follensbee

1932 - 2018

BORN

1932

DIED

2018

Robert Follensbee Obituary

Published by Forest Lawn - Cypress on Nov. 23, 2018.
Robert Edward Follensbee passed away peacefully on November 23, 2018 in Westminster, California at the age of 86, ending his 22 year struggle with Parkinson's Disease. Bob was born to Charles and Virginia Follensbee in Chatfield, Minnesota , on February 22, 1932. He was one of 13 children, with 5 half siblings. Following high school graduation in 1950, he enlisted in the Army paratroopers. Afterward, he settled in Chicago and worked at Midway Airport where he met and married Gloria Banasky. They relocated to Los Angeles in 1955 so Bob could attend the Northrup Institute of Technology where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aeronautical Engineering. His first engineering job was with North American Aviation where he designed the de-icing system for the Saber liner. Six years later, Bob joined the Federal Aviation Administration. In 1963 Bob and Gloria bought their first home in Westminster for themselves and their 3 young girls. The family moved to Brussels, Belgium with the FAA in 1973, returning 4 years later to the same house. In the ensuing years, Bob and Gloria watched their daughters graduate from college and get married. They also bought a Catalina 27 sailboat and spent many enjoyable hours sailing around Long Beach Harbor. Bob retired as the Branch Chief of Propulsion from the FAA in 1992 after 33 years in government service. He is survived by his wife Gloria, daughters Marilyn, Carolyn, and Alyson, their husbands Mark Hall, Mike Benton, and Len Mihealsick, 7 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren. The visitation will be Sunday December 9 from 10am to 2pm. The Funeral will be Monday December 10 at 11:30am with Lunch to follow in the Reception Hall. All will be held at Forest Lawn, Cypress, 4471 Lincoln Ave., Cypress, California.

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December 10, 2018

Deanne Danielson posted to the memorial.

December 10, 2018

Joseph Costa posted to the memorial.

December 9, 2018

Tom & Natalie Phan posted to the memorial.

Deanne Danielson

December 10, 2018

I have very fond memories of Bob.....a quite and gentle man that was always willing to listen. He cared greatly for family. He was there for me when mom (Jackie) passed away in 1975. He took time alone to talk to me as well as my siblings. I will never forget this. Bob & Gloria always came home for those special occasions and I always appreciated that.
I pray that our Lord will comfort you during this difficult time. I will never forget the void and emptiness that I felt when mom passed. I know you are going through this now. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Deanne Danielson

Joseph Costa

December 10, 2018

I was always appreciative of Bob's assigning me to a 1989 National Task Force on Titanium melting and rotor manufacturing after the DC-10 accident in Sioux City, Iowa. From the start, Bob said that whether or not the Task Force is national success, I will and should get more from this unique experience. Bob was right, it was an exciting, learning, and life changing experience. May Bob's memory and insight live on.

Tom & Natalie Phan

December 9, 2018

Mr. Bob Follensbee was a kind and caring person. We always treasure his gentle smiling face. May his soul rest in peace, and for Gloria to find comfort through the love of family and friends.

Steve and Diane Kolb

December 7, 2018

To my mentor, best manager, I express my deepest sympathy on Bobs passing! He was a kind and gentle man. Bob will be greatly missed!

Dan Cheney

December 7, 2018

Hi Bob- I know by now you've started discussing the fail-safe features of the Angles you've met, and probably been checking out the independence of their propulsion systems. Go easy on them though, because they've probably been at this for some time, and likely have access to some really good backup systems. Thanks for being an outstanding mentor to me, and so many others lucky enough to have been in your company. The travelling public is undoubtedly far safer by having your wisdom influence so many key areas of aviation. We'll do our best to keep the bar as high as you've now set it. It has been an honor to have known you these many years

Kevin Cory Jordan Kelsea and Kami

December 7, 2018

Grandpa Bob was quite a guy! He was always smiling and complimenting us girls! He and Grandma Gloria welcomed my family into their home like we were part of the family. I loved to hear Bob chuckle! We will all miss him!

Robert Baitoo

December 6, 2018

Dear Follensbee family, knowing Robert & learning from him many things including the aircraft fail-safe design methodology I will treasure, always. Robert & I had many pleasant & thought provoking conversations including aircraft safety, domestic & international affairs. Robert & I shared many things in common including the same first name & birth date!

Gilbert & Jean Thompson

December 5, 2018

As a young engineer just out of college in 1969, at his first job at the Los Angeles FAA Aircraft Certification Office, Bob was a great mentor and trusted source for career guidance. It remained the same throughout my career. Our condolences to Gloria and the family. Rest in peace.

Jean & Joann Chartier

December 4, 2018

Thank you Bob for having been a good mentor, a good boss and a good friend. Rest in peace.

Sandeep Thakkar

December 3, 2018

An exemplary man. Very kind soul that will be missed. It was a pleasure to have known him

Sam Arsers

December 3, 2018

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Phillips C Hall

December 3, 2018

A thoughtful, quiet, gentle man and a crackerjack engineer. Rest easy Bob.
Phil

Thomas Enyart

December 3, 2018

Bob certainly was a man of great vision and a sharp mind. At a time when others were relaxing well into Bob's retirement he was always thinking about aircraft safety and the latest issues to be solved. Bob made great contributions to improve FAA policy concerning safety investigations and the methods used to determine when critical aircraft systems needed redesign. Bob you have been a great servant, mentor, and a dedicated family man! Rest well. With Respect, Tom Enyart and family

December 1, 2018

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief. Alyson, (spelling?), we enjoyed meeting your dad and mom here in Huntsville. We are happy that you came from such a loving and gracious family. We give your mom and dad, as well as you, a great deal of respect. So sorry for your loss, but time will be your greatest friend. We also appreciate how much time and effort that you give to all of us at Newcomers Club. Sending you our best, Jean Simon, Newcomers

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December 10, 2018

Deanne Danielson posted to the memorial.

December 10, 2018

Joseph Costa posted to the memorial.

December 9, 2018

Tom & Natalie Phan posted to the memorial.