Robert L Needham
December 30, 1919 - January 3, 2014
Robert L. Needham Age 94, of Dayton, died Friday, Jan. 3, 2014, at home. Bob was born in West Lafayette, OH, to Earle D. and Mary R. Needham.
He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Jean (McCloy) Needham, two daughters and sons-in-law: Kay and Dennis Hedges of Westerville, OH; Pamela and Wayne Hounshell of Dayton; four grandchildren: Amanda (Michael) Kunstmann of New Albany, OH; Timothy (Marisa) Hedges of Royal Oak, MI; Jeremy Hounshell (fiancee Kristy Reynolds) of Lima, OH; Kimberly (Nathan) Messer of Beavercreek, OH; eight great-grandchildren: Alyssa, Owen, Booker, Milo, Evelyn, Beckham, Kayla and Marie.
Bob was a graduate of Westerville High School (1937) and received a B.S. in metallurgical engineering from the Ohio State University (1941), where he was a baritone player in the marching band. He earned his M.B.A. from Xavier University (1963), and was a member of Tau Beta Pi honorary society of engineers. Mr. Needham served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army in WWII in the Philippines. He worked as a metallurgist and chief materials engineer at Delco Products for more than 40 years, including 3 years in Spain. Bob was a longtime member of Fairview United Methodist Church in Dayton, where he held several leadership positions and participated in brass choir, bell choir and voice choir. He was also a member of the Kettering Civic Band and Kiwanis Club. His many interests included golf, photography, gardening, woodworking, blacksmithing, music, traveling and lifelong learning. His final gift was the donation of his body to Wright State University for medical research.
A memorial service will be held Sat., Jan. 11, 2014, at 11:00 at Fairview United Methodist Church, 828 W. Fairview Ave., Dayton, OH, 45406, with Pastor Barbara Wiechel officiating. The family will greet friends one hour prior. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the music program at Fairview Church or the Alzheimer's Association Miami Valley Chapter at alz.org/dayton
Robert was a member of the marching band from 1947 through 1940. He played baritone.
