Robert L. "Bob" Stallings Jr. of Hampton, 90, died Saturday September 28, 2024 in Newport News. He was preceded in death by parents, Robert L. Stallings Sr. and Donna Torbet Stallings of Raleigh North Carolina, his first wife of 47 years Susan Woodward Stallings  and his brother Ronald Stallings also from Raleigh. He is survived by his wife Katharine Terrill;  his siblings Barbara Baily and Whitt Stallings  of Raleigh NC; his sons Robert III ( Sue) of San Francisco CA, Phil (Nina) of Kitty Hawk NC, and William (Ginny) of Yorktown VA; step daughter Katharine Lehew of Hampton VA; and grandchildren,  Matthew, Sara, Megan, Trevor and Christopher.

Bob was born in Griffin, Georgia October 12, 1933 and grew up in Franklin County, North Carolina graduating from former Edward Best High School in 1951 and N.C. State University in 1955 with a degree in aeronautical engineering. At State he was a member of the student chapter of the Institute for Aeronautics and Pi Kappa Alpha social fraternity. He also was a member of the U.S. Airforce ROTC at State and upon graduation received a commission as a 2nd Lt. He worked for several months at NACA before being called to active duty by the USAF. He served for 2 years in Japan as an Aircraft Maintenance Officer followed by 6 years in the AF Reserves. He returned to NACA (which became NASA in 1958) in 1957 and retired from there in 1989. While at NASA,  he received several patents and authored or coauthored over 70 referenceable documents consisting of NASA reports, professional magazines and reference books. He was an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Aeronautics. He also received  a Masters Degree  in Aeronautical Engineering from Virginia Tech during this time. After retiring from NASA he worked for approximately 4 years at Lockheed Engineering Sciences Company. He later worked as a sales associate for West Marine Products as a fun job and also to obtain employee discounted boat supplies.

Prior to moving to Hampton he had lived many years in Yorktown. He and Sue were longtime members of Grace Episcopal Church serving as Lay Reader, Usher, Vestry member and  Senior Warden. He was also a former Yorktown Elementary School PTA president and Boy Scout Troop 201 Committee member.

After marrying Kate, he moved to Hampton and became a member of her church, First Presbyterian Church of Hampton. Bob was also an avid boater having owned many boats during his lifetime including a row boat, power boats, sailboats, kayaks and a windsurfer. His first boat was an 8 foot row boat he built in his high school shop class. He later preferred sailing after borrowing a friend's Sailfish and teaching himself the basics of sailing. His first "sit inside" sailboat was a 13 foot Enterprise class sloop. Finally he bought a 28 foot Morgan (Patriot) which he and his family enjoyed for 36 years day sailing and cruising the Chesapeake. When he and Sue could no longer comfortably sail Patriot they switched to power and bought a 30ft Mainship Pilot (Osprey). After Sue's death in 2006, he continued to enjoy Osprey for many years. One of his favorite pastimes was having a before dinner Martini or Manhattan and perusing the internet looking at boats.

A memorial service will be conducted at 2pm on Thursday October 3, 2024 at the First Presbyterian Church of Hampton. A private interment will be held at a later time.

Arrangements are by R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home.