Robert Hooks McLendon (“Bob”), a longtime resident of Gulfport, Mississippi, passed away peacefully at his home in Gulf Breeze, Florida, on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at the age of 94. He was born in Cromwell, Alabama on December 4, 1931, to a life that would be defined by brilliant curiosity, precision, and devotion to his family.

Raised on a farm in western Alabama, R.H. (as he was called by his parents and siblings) learned the values of hard work and resilience early in life. He possessed an innate artistic talent, demonstrating a lifelong gift for detailed architectural drawings, and in his younger days, he found great joy in playing the guitar and violin. Throughout his life, Bob also spent many comfortable hours enjoying classic movies.

A proud veteran, Bob served his country in the U.S. Army within the European Command during the Korean Conflict from 1951 to 1953. Following his military service, he pursued higher education with a sharp, analytical mind, graduating from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.

Bob dedicated his professional life to public service, beginning a distinguished federal civil service career in 1962 at Brookley Field in Mobile, Alabama. He spent decades applying his engineering expertise to vital defense systems before ultimately retiring in 1997 from Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi. His proud Crimson Tide roots and passion for mastering complex systems shaped much of his life and career, leaving a lasting impression on everyone who worked alongside him.

Beyond his academic and professional accomplishments, Bob was a man of steadfast integrity and warmth. His legacy of intellect, hard work, and dedication will live on through the family he loved so dearly.

He is survived by his two children, Sharon McLendon (and her husband, Sergei Khvatkov) and James Alan McLendon (and his wife, Amy Adams McLendon); his former wife, Patricia McLendon; his three sisters, Faye Grady, Caroline Bunyard, and Inez Thomas; and his four cherished grandchildren, Nikolai Khvatkov, Ekaterina Khvatkova, Aleksandra Khvatkova, and Drew McLendon. Bob was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Alexander McLendon and Aylene Shearon McLendon, and his brother, Albert McLendon.

A memorial service with military honors to celebrate Bob’s life and legacy will be held on Friday, June 26, 2026, at 2:30 PM at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida.