Robert Elton Phelps

Robert (Bob) Elton Phelps of Corvallis died June 10, 2014, at the age of 83. He was born October 30, 1930, in Detroit, Michigan, to Mark Boardman Phelps and Frances Roberta Spain. When Bob was 10 years old, he moved to Jackson, Michigan, where he attended grade school and junior high school. Bob graduated from high school in 1948 at Northwestern Military and Naval Academy in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Four days after turning 18, he joined the U.S. Air Force. After basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, he was stationed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, then Ladd Air Force Base in Fairbanks, Alaska. Bob then went to to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, where now-Sergeant Phelps met the love of his life, Corporal Mabel (Tee) Taylor. They were married four months later, on January 6, 1952. The next year, their first child, Robert Michael (Mike) was born. In the fall of 1953, Bob and Tee, with their son, pulled a 22-foot travel trailer from Michigan to Fairbanks, where Bob earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and played hockey for the University of Alaska. Bob then moved his young family to Palo Alto, California, where he earned a master’s degree in civil engineering construction from Stanford University, and their daughter Sharon Lynn was born. After graduating from Stanford, Bob went to work for Peter Kiewit Sons Co. in Washington State. The family later moved to Medford, where their son Matthew Scott and daughter Roberta Jean were born. Bob worked in construction for about 10 years before moving his family to Corvallis, where he became a professor at Oregon State University in the Civil Engineering Department, and was one of the founding professors of the Civil Engineering Management Program. Bob taught at Oregon State for 25 years, until his retirement in 1992. There is a lecture room in Kearney Hall (previously Apperson Hall) named in his honor. Bob was an expert and respected consultant in the areas of concrete technology (including cement), aggregate-crushing operations, construction methods, rolling resistance, estimating and cost control. He would discuss his belief in “construct by contract” with anyone who would listen. Bob was a member of ASCE (the American Society of Civil Engineers), ACI (the American Concrete Institute) and AGC (Associated General Contractors). He was a licensed PE (Professional Engineer), a PLS (Professional Land Surveyor) and a WRE (Water Rights Examiner). Bob was a fixture at all Oregon State Engineering golf tournaments, wearing his 1960s plaid pants, which he claimed never had to be altered. He was an avid bird hunter and fisherman, which he enjoyed doing with his family and friends, and always was accompanied by his golden retriever. He also enjoyed sharing fond memories of the summers during his childhood that he spent on his aunt and uncle’s farm in Little River, Kansas. He was preceded in death by his parents; his older brother, Mark Allison Phelps; and his infant son, Richard Mark Phelps. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mabel (Tee) Phelps; their four children, Mike Phelps, Sharon Warner, Matt Phelps and Roberta Robison, and their spouses; and 10 grandchildren. Bob Phelps will be greatly missed by his family and friends. McHenry Funeral Home has handled arrangements and a private family service has been held. Donations in honor of Bob can be made to the Oregon State College of Veterinary Medicine, Small Animal Clinic, through the OSU Foundation, 850 S.W. 35th St., Corvallis, OR 97333, in memory of Robert Phelps, or online at giving.campaignforosu.org, by noting Small Animal Hospital and Robert Phelps Memorial when making the gift.

Tributes

Robert Elton Phelps

October 30, 1930 - June 10, 2014