On June 24, 2019, Robert Carlton Welch passed away at the age of 87. Bob was born on October 31, 1931, in Ft. Worth, Texas, to Naomi and Hermon Welch.
He served in the 403rd Engineering Battalion during the Korean War receiving three service medals. He graduated from the University of Texas in 1958 and received his PhD in Civil Engineering in 1972. One of his first professional jobs was as part of the engineering team that built the Astrodome in Houston. His true love was teaching and he served at the University of Arkansas for 30 years. He was a professor of Civil Engineering from 1971 until 1982 when he became Associate Dean of the College of Engineering before retiring in 2001.
On September 2, 1961, he married Linda Jewell. They were married for 31 years and raised two children, Andy and Betsy. On September 14, 1996 he married Judy Poindexter. They were married for 20 years until her death in 2016. He enjoyed his work, his grandchildren, travel, telling a joke, reading a book, and building almost anything, including his own home.
He is survived by his daughter, Betsy Foster, and her husband Clint of Charlottesville, Va.; his grandchildren, Cassidy Foster of Seattle, Wash., and Rowen Foster of Charlottesville; two stepsons, Guy and Ray Poindexter; and his siblings, Elizabeth, Nancy, Pat, and Tom.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Judy; his son, Andy; daughter-in-law, Joyce, their two children Maddison and Samuel; and his brother, Bill.
Friends are welcome to visit Thursday, July 25, 2019, from 6-8 p.m. at Beard's Funeral Chapel. A memorial service will be held Friday, July 26, 2019, at 12:30 p.m. in the Wesley Chapel of Central United Methodist Church with a committal service following at 2 p.m. in the Fayetteville National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Heifer International, or Community Meals (CentralUMC). Condolences at www.beardsfuneralchapel.com

Published July 21, 2019