Robert Lynn Sumpter

Robert Lynn Sumpter died Dec. 2, 2025 in Mesa, Arizona. He was 94.

Bob was born Oct. 6, 1931 in Mapleton, Iowa, the only child of Orville Robert and Irene Clarissa (Cole) Sumpter. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1951and was honorably discharged in 1955.

In January 1955, he married Darlene June Wilkens. They had four children, Linda June (1956), David Robert (1957), Warren Emmet (1963) and Laurie Anne (1964).

Bob graduated from Iowa State University in 1960 with a degree in electrical engineering. He worked for the McDonnell-Douglas Aircraft Company in St. Louis for 26 years, retiring in 1986. In 1991, Bob and Darlene moved from St. Louis to New Mexico and in 2015 moved to Arizona.

Bob enjoyed stamp collecting, hunting, being in the outdoors, travel, photography, jazz, airplanes, woodworking, and reading. He was a Boy Scout, a member of Eta Kappa Nu, a Cursillista and a volunteer firefighter. He was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Society of Wild Weasels, and the American Philatelic Society.

Bob is survived by Darlene, by his daughter Linda Fox (Jeff) and son David Sumpter (Linda), four grandsons - Michael Sumpter (Katie), Steve Sumpter (Erin), Andrew Fox and Christopher Sumpter - one great-granddaughter, Emery June Sumpter, and two nephews, Delbert Wilkens and William Wilkens.

He was preceded in death by his parents as well as his son Warren and daughter Laurie.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. January 11 in the chapel at The Groves, 5848 E. University Drive, Mesa, Arizona. His remains will be committed at 11 a.m. January 12 at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 2929 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Phoenix, Arizona.