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February 21, 1929
September 27, 2026
Robert was a precocious small-town boy from Dallison, WV. He studied geology at Marshall University and continued his education at the University of Illinois, where he earned a master's degree in that field. Robert spent his early career in the US with Standard Oil of California, later consulting for Hunt Oil. Robert then focused his professional interests overseas, where he was in the forefront of international oil and gas exploration, prospecting for major corporations in Pakistan, Libya, West Africa and the North Sea.
After raising a family overseas, Robert returned to the US, where he and his first wife, Ann, started a small oil and gas business in West Virginia. In recognition of his accomplishments, Robert was conferred an honorary doctorate degree from Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland, and received awards from the American Association of Petroleum Geologists and the Society of Petroleum Engineers, among other professional associations. Robert and his second wife, Sue Wylie Fox, enjoyed an abundance of enduring friendships in the Lexington, KY community. Ann, and Sue preceded Robert in death.
Robert is survived by his children Glenn (Patty), George (Katherine), Miriam (Joel), and Nelson (Jay). Robert was blessed with five grandchildren: Morgan (Liana), Conner, Aisha (Rama), Gordon, Evan, and one great grandchild, Xango.
A memorial service for Robert will be held at the Second Presbyterian Church at 460 E. Main St., Lexington, KY, on Saturday, November 14, with visitation at 10:30am and service following at 11am.