Robert Kenneth Williams

Robert Kenneth Williams, known by his friends and family as “Bob”, passed away at home on April 14, 2016. Bob was born in Walla Walla, Washington on October 8, 1933. He grew up in Ontario, Oregon. Bob participated in the ROTC while earning a Metallurgical Engineering degree at the Colorado School of Mines. After college, he served honorably as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army, and then went on to earn a Ph.D. in Metallurgical Engineering from the Carnegie -Mellon Institute of Technology. In 1965, Bob moved to Knoxville, Tennessee, joining the team of scientists at the Metals and Ceramics Division of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. After 35 years of distinguished work as a research scientist at ORNL, Bob retired in 2000. During his long and highly regarded career, Bob was awarded 16 patents, and contributed substantially to the science of metallurgy and superconductivity, including publishing over 90 research papers. During retirement, Bob was a volunteer tutor at Pellissippi State Community College, helping hundreds of students pass math, physics and chemistry. He also volunteered for the Stray Connection, helping wash linens and care for stray cats and dogs. Bob was a loving father, and grandfather, who was always there for his family. Bob was an excellent cook, who loved feeding his large extended family delicious home cooked meals. Bob was an avid outdoorsman, and served as a Boy Scout master for many years. Some of his happiest memories were of camping and fly fishing for trout in the Tellico River, as well as in treasured fishing spots in Idaho and Oregon. Bob loved spending time in his garden, and his homegrown tomatoes and squash were legendary in the neighborhood. Bob cherished animals. He was known to stop traffic to save the life of a turtle crossing the road, and he provided a loving home to his many dogs and cats over the years. Bob is survived by his loving daughter Mary Patience and son-in-law Chris, son Timothy John and grandson Cory John, son Eamonn O’Connor and daughter-in-law Danielle, daughter Nancy Elizabeth Ann, grandchildren Connor Liam, Sean Wallace, Dylan Michael and Erin Rachel, step-children John, Amanda, and Alison, their spouses and children, and family friend, Lisa Nicole. Bob was predeceased by his loving first wife, Mary Jo, and son Matthew Robert. The family will be receiving friends on Tuesday, April 19th, from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Rose Mortuary, Mann Heritage Chapel, 6200 Kingston Pike, Knoxville. Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, April 20th, at 3:00 p.m. at Oak Ridge Memorial Park, Highway 62, Bethel Valley Road, Oak Ridge. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Knox Area Rescue Ministries at karm.org. Online condolences may be made at www.rosemortuary.com

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Robert Kenneth Williams

October 8, 1933 - April 14, 2016