Bob Watson Maupin

Bob Watson Maupin, age 90, was called home by his Lord on January 9, 2023. He was a generous and kind husband, father, grandfather, brother, son, and friend. Bob Maupin was born at home on December 7, 1932 to Temple and Esther Maupin in Nacogdoches, Texas. He spent his early days riding bikes, swimming, playing cowboys and Indians, and finding mischief with neighborhood friends. In junior high, he began what became a lifelong passion, playing the clarinet. He also loved to tinker and designed, built, and fixed whatever could be repaired or redesigned. After graduating from high school, he attended Stephen F. Austin until a few buddies talked him into transferring to Rice University where he earned a degree in Physics. After graduation, he was hired as a Jr. Engineer at Temco Aircraft Co. in Dallas where he worked on optical, radar, and guidance systems. It was a perfect career choice for someone who loved airplanes, had an understanding of electronics, and a knack for solving problems. He took graduate classes at SMU in Electrical Engineering. While at Temco, he met the love of his life, Barbara Ash. They married on December 1, 1956. After Temco, Bob worked at two other defense contractors and in 1968 left to help start UTL (United Technology Laboratories). He spent 24 years there building his career and earning the position of Executive Vice-President of Engineering and Special Projects. Bob and Barbara enjoyed 64 years of a marriage filled with travel, friends, sports cars, raising two daughters, serving as a deacon and later an elder, dinners out, cheering for the Dallas Cowboys, camping and fishing trips, and annual family reunion July 4th celebrations. In 1993, Bob retired from UTL and they moved to Lake Palestine where he now had time to devote to an active church life at the Frankston Methodist Church. He taught Sunday School, played the clarinet, sang in the choir, maintained the electronic church chimes and marquee, and multiple other building projects. He found a circle of friends at the church who just celebrated his 90th birthday with him in December. Bob was a man of deep faith and trust in God. He was a grateful man who so often referred to how blessed he was or his daily Bible reading. His sincerity was evident in his emotions when he prayed out loud. Bob is survived by his two daughters Nancy Bates (son-in-law Michael), Patricia Riggs (son-in-law Robert) and, five grandsons: Ian (wife Heather), Aaron (wife Beth), Ben, Brian, and Peter, his sister Mary Duncan (brother-in-law Sammy), his niece Dina, nephew Clint (wife Evelyn), great niece and nephew, Fiona and Oliver. Services for Bob will be held on January 16, 2023 at 10AM at the Stewart Family Funeral Home (7525 Old Jackson Highway, Tyler). A brief graveside service will follow his memorial service at the Cathedral in the Pines Cemetery (Tyler). In lieu of flowers, we invite you to make a donation in Bob's name to: Samaritan's Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone NC 28607 (www.samaritanspurse.org) or your favorite charity.

Bob Watson Maupin

December 7, 1932 - January 9, 2023