Robert Edward "Bob" Oliver

Robert Edward "Bob" Oliver was born July 16, 1941, at Ardmore, Oklahoma. He left this life November 27, 2025, at his home in Ardmore, Oklahoma.

Bob was the son of Gates and Clara Oliver. He grew up on the family's farm, and these early experiences sparked his lifelong appreciation of the Oklahoma countryside. Bob loved baseball, particularly playing catcher, and always disliked the idea of the designated hitter. During his time at Oklahoma State University, he met the love of his life, Margaret Jo, with whom he would spend the next sixty-three years.

Bob's education and professional career took several twists and turns. As a senior at Oklahoma State University in 1961, at age 20, he taught classes in the Mathematics Department which began a career in college teaching. After graduation from OSU, marriage, and an untimely case of mumps, his plans were interrupted in 1963, and he left his graduate program in mathematics. The lure of the NASA Manned Space Program began a career as an analyst and computer programmer with IBM. For the next several years, Bob developed applications software as part of a team of scientists and engineers in support of the NASA Gemini and Apollo programs. The highlight of this activity was the first lunar landing. For his work on Apollo, he was presented with the NASA Achievement Award. Bob continued his education in 1970 at Colorado State University where he earned the degrees of Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy. Dr. Oliver returned to IBM in 1974 as a systems analyst, worked on numerous NASA space projects, and was selected to lead a NASA technology transfer center located at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. The goal of the center was to transfer the technology developed in the space program to benefit mankind through its application in Business and Industry. This activity led to an interest in the workings of business, additional graduate education, designation as a Certified Public Accountant, and an eventual return to the college classroom. Bob retired from Southeastern as Professor Emeritus in 2000 and in 2014 was honored by Southeastern with its Distinguished Former Faculty Award.

In his retirement with Margaret, Bob enjoyed spending time with their children and grandchildren, perfecting smoked brisket, and playing the dominoes game "42". Bob's cherished pets included his cat Hunter, who he rescued from the city dump, and his two English shepherds, Trapp and his nephew Hank. Bob modeled the love of Jesus to his family through his kind heart, provision, and protection. Bob's family is blessed that he is now with Jesus, but they will miss him very much.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Gates and Clara Oliver. He is survived by his beloved wife, Margaret; their son Steve Oliver and his wife, Aggin; their daughter Jude Pinson and her husband, Joel; granddaughter Sarah Simpson and her husband, Robert; granddaughter Hannah Elmore and her husband, Carson; granddaughter Ava Pinson; and grandsons Benjamin and Joshua Chang.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to Cross Timbers Hospice or Orphanage Emmanuel in memory of Bob Oliver.

Condolences may be left at www.griffinhillcrest.com