Robert was born on January 1, 1943 in Round Pond, Arkansas to William Delbert Gatliff and Hazel (Wilson) Gatliff, the third child of five. He is preceded in death by his parents and oldest brother, William Delbert Gatliff Jr.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 56 years, Patsy Ann Rabjohn Gatliff, his son Robert Joseph Gatliff Jr. and son’s spouse Julia Louise Gatliff, and son Gary William Gatliff. Robert is also survived by two brothers, Ocescola Walker Gatliff and James Lynn Gatliff with his wife Carolyn S. Gatliff, one sister, Suzanne Gatliff Bishop, and many nieces and nephews, including a special niece, Donna Gatliff Wonish and her husband Bobby Wonish. Surviving grandchildren include Emilio Bascuñán, Francisco Miguel Bascuñán, and Ana Luisa Bascuñán.
Robert’s formative years were spent working on a farm which his father managed, and he had a lifelong love of working outdoors, gardening, and transforming every piece of property he owned into a place of beauty.
He graduated from Forrest City High School and attended college in Conway, Arkansas, where he met his future wife, Patsy, at the milk machine in the cafeteria where they both worked. Robert and Patsy were married on September 1, 1962 in the Bluffton Baptist Church in Bluffton, Arkansas.
Robert held a BS degree in Math and Physics from Arkansas State Teachers College with additional work at Lamar Tech in Beaumont, Texas and North Texas State University in Denton, Texas. He taught high school math, physics and chemistry for a short time, then took a software development position with Dow Chemical in 1966. An early professional in computer programming, Robert enjoyed a 40-year career in software development at various corporations prior to his retirement in 2006 from Dell Computers.
He was an intelligent and hardworking man who was devoted to his wife and sons. He supported Patsy’s enthusiastic genealogy research at every opportunity and enjoyed building computers and rebuilding engines with his sons. He was a Ham radio operator, a skilled craftsman with stained glass, an avid gardener, and a life-long learner.
Robert excelled at everything he pursued, and he will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
A Funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 10, 2018 at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home, 14501 North Interstate 35, Pflugerville, Texas 78660. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at 11:00 a.m. at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home.
Please visit www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com where you may leave condolences and share memories with Robert’s family.