Robert W. Bryant



Bob & Betty Lou

Robert William Bryant, 87, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, died May 15, 2013, at his home in Shepherdstown after a courageous two year battle with cancer and Parkinson's disease.


Born June 8, 1925, in Oxford, Ohio, he was the son of the late Inez Kramer Bryant and James Clarence Bryant.


During World War II, he attended Denison University, Granville, Ohio in the Navy V-12 program. He was commissioned Ensign, USNR, at Ft. Schuyler, N.Y., and served on the PC 1173. After the war, he graduated with honors from Miami University and received a master's degree from the University of Alabama. He did further graduate work at the University of Cincinnati in Ohio and The American University in Washington, D.C. He taught mathematics at Miami University from 1948 to 1951.


He was then employed at the Naval Research Laboratory in D.C. in underwater sound.


Later, he transferred to the Vanguard Group there, which became the nucleus group that became NASA. He analyzed data recovered from the satellites working in the Theoretical Division at the Goddard Space Flight Center. Later he was employed by the Navy Department in Anti-Submarine Warfare, where their work directly influenced the development of the LAMPS helicopter.


After retiring to Shannondale, in 1979, he was employed at Shepherd College as a part-time instructor in mathematics and pocket billiards for 19 years. During his retirement, he volunteered his computer expertise and much of his time to the Shannondale Club, the Citizens of Shannondale and the Millbrook Orchestra.


At age 83, Bob started writing heartfelt poetry about family, friends and today's world. Daughter, Barbara, arranged his poems into an illustrated paperback that was published and entitled "Discovery: An Old Man's Poems."


He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa; American Academy for the Advancement of Science; the Military Officers Association of America; Phi Kappa Tau fraternity; Friends of Music; charter member of the Charles Town Rotary; and Cress Creek Country Club.


He is survived by his devoted wife of 67 years, Betty Lou Whitney Bryant; four daughters and sons-in-law, Becky Fleck and Larry, of McLean, Va., Dr. Bonnie Lee Bryant and Keith Bird, of Shannondale, Barbara Zingg and Robert, of Shannondale, and Beth Carroll and John, of New Lenox, Ill.; 10 grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; three nieces and five nephews.


In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother and three sisters.


Betty Lou wishes to express special thanks to the staff of Hospice of the Panhandle, especially to nurse Emunah and Aide Renita; to Kara Wilson of Home Instead; and family members, son-in-law, Keith Bird, daughters, Becky, Bonnie and Barbara, and grandchildren, Jason Zingg and Yajaira Bird, all of whom gave many hours of loving care during his illness.


A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m. June 16, 2013, at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Shepherdstown.


In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of the Panhandle Inc., 122 Waverly Court, Martinsburg, WV, 25403; Friends of Music, P.O. Box 220, Shepherdstown, WV, 25443, or the charity of your choice.


Arrangements by Melvin T. Strider Colonial Funeral Home, Charles Town.


Please sign the online guestbook and view his obituary at www.mtstrider.com.

:rose: