Robert H. Tawes

We said goodbye to the patriarch of our family, Lt. Colonel Robert H. Tawes (ret.), after a long battle with cancer, just a few months shy of his 90th birthday. He has now rejoined his wife of 63 years, Joan Tawes, who passed in 2017.

He lived a full and honorable life as a West Point graduate, military officer, civil engineer, leader, husband, and father to his three children. Born in Claymont, Delaware, he excelled in high school academics and athletics. He lost his mother before he was 18. He had two older brothers, one of whom was killed in action in the Korean War, and the other who died from residual effects of his military service.

These early tragedies and adversity instilled in him strong family values and reinforced his commitment to serve his country.

Robert had a diverse and successful military career, being stationed in Alaska, Korea, France, Germany, Vietnam, Panama, and multiple stateside locations. He was attached to the South Vietnamese Army (ARVN) as an advisor during the Vietnam War. He was careful to ensure his family lived in numerous countries and experienced many cultures. After he retired from the Army Corps of Engineers in 1974, he pursued his successful career as an engineer and contracting officer in the private sector with various engineering firms, including living and working in Jeddah and Yanbu, Saudi Arabia. He concluded his career working for the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), retiring in the early 1990s.

In his free time and after his retirement from the corporate sector, he enjoyed numerous hobbies such as woodworking and reading. He also engaged in several creative endeavors which complemented the artistic talents of his late wife, Joan, such as stained glass, ceramics, even sewing and needlepoint. He was an involved grandfather. Those who knew him well, knew that underneath his sometimes gruff exterior hid a big teddy bear. He leaves behind his three children; Nancy, Margaret, and Robert, four grandchildren; Stacey, Peter, Katherine, and Alex, and two great grandchildren; Opal and Jake, to continue his legacy. We love you Dad!

A small family memorial at service will be held at the Georgia National Cemetery, date and time to be announced. In lieu of flowers please make any donations to World Wildlife Fund or Wounded Warriors.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hmpattersonOglethorpe.com for the Tawes family.