Robert Dale Maddox

Robert (Bob) Dale Maddox departed for eternal life on August 27, 2017. He was 88 years old. Robert was born on July 8, 1929 in Charleston, West Virginia. He was the third of five children born to Brady and Alma (Nichols) Maddox. Robert graduated from Gallia Academy High School in Gallipolis, Ohio in 1947. After graduation, he joined the Air Force for four years serving as a weatherman in Japan during the Korean War. Robert went to college at The Ohio State University on the GI Bill where he left five years later with two degrees and the love of his life. He graduated in 1957 with a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree in Petroleum Engineering. He married Sally Jane Russell in Bakersfield, CA on April 12, 1958 and they welcomed their daughter Julie Elizabeth Maddox on August 19, 1959. In 1969, he received a Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology. Bob spent his early career working as a Petroleum Engineer for the Standard Oil Company of California and then moved with his family to Dayton, OH for a thirty year career as an Aerospace Engineer at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Robert was a true renaissance man; he was passionate about aviation and earned his pilot’s license at 16. He loved sailing and sailed his boat “Priority” for 45 years. He also loved poetry, music and was an avid reader. He knew a little bit about everything and always had an interesting fact or witty story to share. Robert was a gentle soul and his kind spirit brought a smile to all who knew him. Though he had many passions and talents, he always put his family first. He will be dearly missed. Robert is preceded in death by his parents Brady and Alma Maddox, stepfather Paul R. Davis, his sister Jean Bowman and by his loving wife of 52 years, Sally Jane Maddox. They are now together, which is where they always will be. Robert is survived by his loving daughter Julie (Eric) Lothes; grandchildren Natalie (Derek) Brown; Mitchell (Kayla) Lothes; great-granddaughter Nora Jane Brown; brothers, Roy Maddox and Larry (Ann) Maddox; sister, Sue (Ron) King and many nieces and nephews. Family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Rutherford Funeral Home at Powell, 450 W. Olentangy St., Powell, O. (The funeral home is located on W. Olentangy St./Powell Rd./ State Rt. 750 1/4 mile east of Sawmill Pkwy.) Calling hours will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 2, 2017, at Powell United Methodist Church, 825 E. Powell Rd., Powell, O. 43065 (1/4 mile west of State Rt. 315), with the funeral following at 11 a.m. Pastor Larry Brown to officiate. Burial will follow at Africa Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to consider memorial contributions to Powell United Methodist Church, in Bob’s memory. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.rutherfordfuneralhomes.com.

Robert Dale Maddox

July 8, 1929 - August 27, 2017