Robert Bob Earl Huggins

JULY 19, 1944 – OCTOBER 17, 2013

Bob Huggins is the beloved husband of Patricia, devoted father of Bryan and Jason, honored father-in-law to Michelle, and very proud grandfather of Finn, Isabelle, and Isla. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gore and Edna Huggins. He is also survived by his sister, Ann Snell; three brothers, Jim, Dennis Sr., and Billy Huggins; his in-laws Roger Snell, Sheila, Debbie, and Tona Huggins and Kathy Cuva; and many loved nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, and great aunts and uncles, and many friends.

He was known as “Bob / Dad / Grapes / Uncle Bob / Bobber” as his email signature made sure to tell to all. Bob met Patricia (Pat) at the Officer’s Club at Offutt Air Force Base in 1970. She was the beautiful Italian local girl, and he was the handsome and charming Air Force Captain that swept her off her feet. They make movies out of this kind of love story for a reason. He became Dad in 1974 with the birth of Bryan and soon thereafter in 1977 with the introduction of Jason to this world. He was the type of Dad and Man, that both of his sons wanted to emulate when they became adults. Both are still trying. Bob became Gramps in 2007 with the birth of twins Finn and Isabelle to Bryan and Michelle Huggins. Bob became their beloved Grapes in 2009 when Finn kept mispronouncing “Gramps”. The name stuck after Finn exclaimed (after being corrected), “No, not Grapes…Grapes!” Finn couldn’t tell the difference, and neither could Grapes after that. Bob LOVED the name. Bob loved his grandchildren so very much, and beamed with pride at their various accomplishments. Finn’s sayings, Isabelle’s pure athleticism, and Isla’s bubbles all brought smiles from Grapes. He was Bob / Uncle Bob / Bobber to the rest of his family and friends. He was especially loved and admired by his brothers and sister, who due to a significant age difference between himself and his siblings, looked up to him as they grew up.

Bob was raised in an Air Force family, and thus moved all over the world before his father, Gore, and mother, Edna, retired in 1961 and settled the family in Gore’s hometown of Grove, Oklahoma. Bob attended his senior year of high school at Grove High School, went on to Northeastern Oklahoma A&M (in order to be close to home to help out), and finally to Oklahoma State University, where he went through Air Force ROTC and upon his graduation in 1966, earned his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant. Later in life, Bob stated that his father was the biggest influence in his life. Gore was also extremely intelligent, an Air Force Officer (flew B-24s in WWII), and went to Oklahoma State University (then Oklahoma A&M).

In the Air Force, Bob distinguished himself as an early expert in imagery intelligence and later as a widely recognized expert in intelligence collection systems. He took the upmost pride in his Country and his service to it. With that said, he still always put his family first and foremost in his life. His duty assignment choices were always made around what was best for his family, and not necessarily his career track. This is evident in the fact that Bryan and Jason only changed school systems once in their childhood, allowing them the sort of lifelong friends that military children often times don’t get to have. Bob retired in 1987 as a Major. He was major, a major expert in his field, with impressive recommendations and accommodations filling his service record, of which his family just recently was able to view for the first time. While with the Air Force, Bob was tasked directly to several agencies including the Defense Intelligence Agency and the Central Intelligence Agency. The service record doesn’t define the man, but in this case, it definitely illustrates the respect that he constantly earned while a member of the United States Air Force.

In his civilian life, Bob went on to work for and be highly sought after for inclusions in various contracts for various government agencies. He worked for MRJ (a company that he truly loved) which turned into Verdian, Inc., and finally GDAIS, where he was a Lead Senior Systems Engineer. Bob loved what he did professionally. He loved continuing what he started in the Air Force, and loved doing it on behalf of his Country. He truly enjoyed working with the professionals / friends that he met. He was known for a calm sense of demeanor, an understated wit, his willingness to laugh, and for being the guy that you turned to when the tough jobs needed to get done (a sentiment echoed constantly in his service record). His intellect was powerful, but he never felt the need to thrust it upon anyone. At home, he was known for answering 90% of every “answer” put forth by the Jeopardy game show. Seriously, who knows anything about 18th Century Russian Literature? The correct response is, “Who is Bob Huggins?”

Approximately 5 years ago, Bob suffered a great personal trauma that left him a tetraplegic. The worst part of this experience for Bob was that he was not able to return to work, which left him heartbroken. Despite this, he was a model of personal strength, grace, and eternal optimism in the face of constant personal limitations. To a person, all who worked with him after his accident said the same thing. Their time with Dad, always made their day better. It is important to note that in these years, Bob was in the direct care of his loving wife Pat and son Jason, who did everything to ensure his comfort and happiness. The rest of the family, especially his son Bryan, is eternally grateful for their care given to him. Bob spent the majority of his life teaching his sons what it means to be a great man, devoted husband, and beloved father, and the last 5 years teaching them what it means to be an extraordinary person. He didn’t even know he was doing it.

His legacy is one that will be emulated as much as possible, and will be passed down to his beloved grandchildren and all that Pat, Jason, and Bryan come into contact with. At the time of his passing, he was very much in love with Pat, his wife of almost 44 years, and very proud of his sons, Jason, the respected Scoutmaster of Troop 1140 and an Eagle Scout, and Bryan, an architect and father of three. He loved his daughter, Michelle…from the very beginning he removed the “in-law” portion of her title. His three grandchildren, Finn, Isabelle, and Isla were bright spots in his life. He was very proud of them, constantly showing them off to nurses, doctors, etc. They will grow up knowing that their Grapes loved them very much.

It is important to note that while Bob was known for steadfast conviction in his political views, he always listened to the viewpoint of others. He enjoyed the debate. He liked to call it “mental exercise”. While holding specific views, he encouraged others, especially his son Bryan during marathon phone calls, to find their own path, and create their own thoughts. He used to advise that the point of becoming educated is to think about things and come to learned conclusions.

Throughout his life, Bob loved to say, “Don’t sweat the small stuff, let it flow off your back.” This was a pretty ironic thing for him to say, given the circumstances of his later years, but a true testament to the idea that a person is defined by their character. Bob lived his life truly leading by example. How do you summarize the life, the physical existence of a person upon this Earth? In the case of Robert Earl Huggins, start at how his example influenced those around him. Look at the personal strength, laughter, and caring exhibited by his wife, the respected leader of young men that is his son Jason, and the type of husband and father his other son Bryan strives toward. Add in the example imparted to his brothers and sister. Look to the interactions he had with the professionals he worked alongside of, and respected so much. His was a character of respect, humor, intelligence, and love. First and foremost, he looked out for everyone else. In doing so, he leaves a legacy that is truly one to emulate. We are thankful for his fellowship and example, but will miss the love and insights of Bob / Dad / Grapes / Uncle Bob / Bobber, most dearly.

In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the St. Jude's Children's Hospital:

www.stjude.org/tribute

Ph #: 1(800) 822-6344

Address: PO Box 1000; Dept. 142; Memphis, TN 38148

Please use Tribute # 34340507

Donations are in Memory of Robert Earl Huggins