Robert Paul Talbott's Obituary
Bob Talbott was born in Gary, Indiana to Paul Lincoln Talbott and Mary Petro. He attended Lew Wallace K-12 and liked to remind people that it was named after the author of Ben Hur. In High School, he won awards for printing expertise and played saxophone in the marching band. He had a lifelong love of Ford automobiles and was very proud of his very first blue and white Ford Coupe. He then attended Indiana University. In 1953, at the start of the Korean War, he and his best friend, Louis enlisted in the Army where he was a missile specialist and his war combat consisted of being a drummer in the unit band. After his 2 years of military service, he completed his college education, graduating with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Purdue University and becoming a lifelong Boilermaker.
He worked as an engineer with Boeing in Seattle. A twist of fate brought the love of his life, Janice (Jan) Williams, an RN from Iowa. They enjoyed the local sports scene, especially viewing hydroplane races and watching Seattle Totems hockey. With other Purdue Alumni, they cruised Lake Washington and docked at the University of Washington stadium to view a UW/Purdue football game. Bob and Jan were married in her hometown of Webster City, Iowa the day after Christmas in 1959.
Transferring to Otis AFB on Cape Cod brought new adventures. Attending a Boston Pops Concert with Arthur Fiedler conducting, watching Ted Williams hitting his last Boston Red Sox homerun at Fenway Park, and seeing the Boston Celtics with Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, and company were highlights for him. He was quite appalled that Jan fell asleep during a Celtics Game!
They were transferred back to Seattle where their daughter, Leslie was born. It was no understatement that baby Leslie was the light of his life. A later move brought them to Tulsa, Oklahoma. Later their son, Lance came along and completed the family. Bob loved driving and the family went on Sunday afternoon drives and many cross-country trips. He changed courses by attending Tulsa University and earning a degree in Accounting. He spent many years working for Brunswick Corporation. Jan always felt working for an airline that gave free airline tickets might have been a better choice than accumulating fishing rods and reels when you don’t fish, especially considering their love of travel. For many years, he and Jan enjoyed attending TU games. He loved watching football and basketball. For several years, they even had season tickets to TU, Arkansas, and OU football.
In 2004, while Bob remained at home, Jan accompanied daughter Leslie to Ukraine and returned with the ultimate souvenir, grandson Nicholas Robert. Leslie sent updates and pictures of the adventure to Bob and his memorable responses were ‘He’s a keeper’ and ‘Nicky Bob sounds good to me.’ Bob was overjoyed with the arrival of his only grandson.
After retiring, Bob and Jan became avid travelers, especially enjoying cruises. They have been to all 50 states, Central and South America, Europe, Australia, Canada, Greenland, and Iceland. Highlights included their 50th Anniversary family Disney Cruise and a special Alaska trip with Nick. Bob enjoyed crossword puzzles and internet solitaire. He was a very early computer user, building his own computers before home PCs were a standard thing. He was a longtime member of St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. After 48 years in Tulsa, Bob and Jan downsized and moved to Broken Arrow in 2011. He enjoyed his time at Baptist Village.
During his final two-year struggle with Dementia, Bob was taken care of in the home by his wife. She was assisted by wonderful caregivers who loved him and were appreciated and loved by him. During that time, he maintained his dry sense of humor and would catch everyone off guard with song lyrics or jokes. Every evening he and Jan would recite the Lord’s Prayer, which was a special moment for them both.
Bob was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Janice Elaine (Williams) Talbott, daughter Leslie, son Lance and grandson Nick Talbott, brother-in-law Gene Williams (Maria), and cousin Patty (Ed) Harold. He will be missed by loving family and good friends.
Visitation will be 5-7 pm, Monday, July 24, 2023, at Floral Haven Funeral Home.
Funeral Service will be 3:00 pm, Tuesday, July 25, 2023, at Floral Haven Funeral Home Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Boxer Rescue @ http://www.tbro.org/
or to
Broken Arrow Animal Control @ https://www.brokenarrowok.gov/government/police/animal-control/adoption-information
To view the service via webcasting use the link below:
http://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/90568/hash:7067708736A15499
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