Dr. Robert (Bob) Davis, 74, of Tuscaloosa, AL passed away on February 23, 2021 after a brief illness. Born and raised on the Peninsula, he graduated from Newport News High School in 1965 and achieved a B.S. and M.S. from the University of Tennessee and a Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University in Industrial Engineering.  A Registered Professional

 

Engineer since 1978, Dr. Davis was retired from a 40 year career of education, scholarship, research and consulting at some of the most renown academic institutions offering engineering degrees in the country.  He served as the Assistant Department Head at Virginia Tech where he repeatedly was recognized by his students with the Outstanding Faculty Award and the prestigious Sporn Award for Excellence in Teaching Engineering Subjects.  As the first Department Head at Clemson University, he was instrumental in establishing the current IE department.  He retired in 2011 from teaching at the University of Alabama where he served as Department Head for five years and later as a full Professor on the faculty.  While on Sabbatical in 1995-96, Dr. Davis held the position of Visiting Stocker Chair Professor in the Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering at Ohio University.  In addition, he was a Senior Member & Fellow in the Institute of Industrial Engineers and a Senior Member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers.  Dr. Davis was co-author of several textbooks and served on numerous Editorial and Review Boards for professional publications and IE Journals.

 

Also, an athlete, Robert Davis represented the state of Virginia in Track & Field at the AAU Junior Olympics and received a Track Scholarship to William & Mary.  In 2012, he was inducted into the NNHS Track Hall of Fame.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents, David Gwynn Davis, Sr., and Agnes Pratt Davis and  sister, JoAnn Davis Lazarus.   Robert is survived by his wife of 53 years, Shirley Sholar Davis; brother, Dr. D. Gwynn Davis, Jr. (Rebecca) of Midlothian, VA; niece Heather Zerbe (Seth) of Lusby, MD; nephews Benjamin Davis (Lauren) of Dallas, TX; Mark Lazarus of Hampton, VA; and many other loving family members.

 

Robert Davis was a devoted husband, son, brother, uncle, teacher, mentor, colleague and friend who will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him.

 

Due to COVID, a graveside service will be held on Sunday, March 7, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at Peninsula Memorial Park officiated by Dr. D. Gwynn Davis.  Facial masks and social distancing will be required.

 

Local arrangements are under the care of Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA 23601.