Robert Charles Hanks

Robert C. Hanks was born July 14, 1931 in Ollie, a crossroads community just south of Monroeville, in Monroe County, Alabama, and died December 22, 2024 in Mobile. Bob’s parents were Willard Hanks and Iris Thames Hanks. Bob’s dad’s work required the family to move several times a year during the 1930s. Bob started school in Buffalo, NY, and was enrolled in schools in St. Louis, MO, Baltimore, MD, Brooklyn, NY, and Frisco City, AL, before the family moved to Mobile the summer before Bob started the fifth grade at Oakdale School. Bob continued in school in Mobile and graduated from Murphy High School in 1948.

Bob graduated from Auburn University with a degree in electrical engineering in 1952, and began work with Exxon Oil Company. This job was interrupted by a two year stint in the U.S. Army. Bob’s Army assignment was with a group that developed the first missile control system for Washington.

Bob returned to Exxon and worked two years in Baton Rouge, LA until he left for Vanderbilt University, where he received a masters degree in business and economics in 1960. Following graduation Bob began his 32 year career with DuPont at Old Hickory, TN. In 1969 he took a trip around the world, visiting five continents in two months. He would continue to pursue a great interest in travel for the rest of his life. After 17 years at DuPont, Bob, who by now had a wife and two children, moved to Wilmington, DE, where he finished his career with the company.

The year 1991 was very eventful for Bob and his family. His son Matt graduated from high school in Wilmington, and entered Tulane University in the fall. His wife, Roma, accepted a professorship at the University of South Alabama. She and daughter Katie moved to Mobile in the fall, and Katie entered Murphy High School. Bob worked an additional year and retired at the end of August, 1992. He moved to Mobile and lived there for the rest of his life.

Bob was always active in the Church of Christ and was a member of the Creekwood Church of Christ in Mobile. He was a deacon in Nashville and Wilmington, and in 2007 he published a history of the Church of Christ in Mobile. In 2003 he began a class that studied the Old Testament, which lasted 21 years. The study included reading and commenting on the full text in order, from Genesis through Malachi, plus the New Testament through Philippians.

Bob is survived by his former wife Roma, and children Matt and Katie, and their families. Matt’s family includes his wife Courtney and daughters Emma and Sally. Katie’s family includes her husband Sam, and sons Houser and Atticus.

Visitation will be held Saturday, December 28, 2024 at 10am at Creekwood Church of Christ,1901 Schillinger Road South, Mobile, Alabama 36695, followed by the Funeral Service at 11 AM. The graveside service will be held at Mobile Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 6100 Three Notch Road, Mobile, Alabama 36619.