Robert J. "Bob" Spence

Robert J. "Bob" Spence embraced heaven on December 14, 2015 at Select Specialty Hospital in Knoxville, Tennessee at age 72. He was a devoted spouse, loving father, grandfather, and dedicated friend. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew Emmett Spence, Sr., and Eva Mae Grant Spence; brothers Andrew E. Spence Jr., Charles M. Spence, and Daniel B Spence; and brother-in-law Harry Bunch. He is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Barbara D. Spence; children, Kimberly Fuller, Kelley Jones and husband Steve, Kenny Spence and wife Sandy; sisters, Roxie Bunch, Janice Cochran and husband Frank, Jeanette Bauchman and husband Mike; sister-in-law Leta Dantzler; and grandchildren, Rob Jones, Sydney Jones, Robby Fuller, D.J. Spence, and Abby Spence. Bob joined the U.S. Department of Energy's Oak Ridge Operations in 1974 as a Project Engineer in the Engineering Division. Before joining DOE, he was employed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In his DOE career, he served as Lead Civil Engineer, Director of Design and Engineer Manager, all with the Enrichment Expansion Projects Office. In 1984, he was appointed Project Director and was responsible for developing and directing all engineering, central procurement, project techinical support, and overseeing activities associated with the Portsmouth Gas Centrifuge Enrichment Plant. Since 1985, Bob managed all activities of the Y-12 Site Office through a technical and administrative staff. He also served as the contracting officers' representative for the Y-12 Plant, which has a mission that includes the assembly, disassembly, and quality evaluation of nuclear components, storage of special nuclear materials, work for others, technology transfer, and physical security programs. Bob retired as the Y-12 Site Manager for DOE's Oak Ridge Operations with over 30 years of federal service. A native of Mobile, Alabama, Bob earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Auburn University. This made him a lifelong Auburn Tigers fan, but he also enthusiastically supported the Lady Vols softball and basketball teams. Bob was a Christian for over 50 years, and a member of Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church for more than 20 years. He strived in so many areas of life to live the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ so that others may know. One of Bob's great joys came through participating in the Knoxville Christian Arts Ministry (KnoxCAM). He was always involved in music outreach, at Cedar Springs and at other churches. Being active in KnoxCAM increased his dedication to ministering to prison inmates, the elderly, and those who are homeless. He recently served on the KnoxCAM Advisory Board. His greatest love and dedication, however, was for his family. A celebration of life service will be held at Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church at 2:00 PM on Saturday, January 9, 2016. The family will receive friends from 12:00-1:45 PM prior to the service. The interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial gift to Knoxville Christian Arts Ministry (KnoxCAM), with checks payable to Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church, 9132 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37923, and write “Knoxville Christian Arts Ministries” on the memo line.

Tributes

Robert J. "Bob" Spence

December 14, 2015