Robert "Bob" Atkins Alford

Robert Atkins Alford (Bob), age 87, died peacefully at Ascension Oaks Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Gonzales, Louisiana, under hospice care after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Bob was born on August 5, 1938, to Herbert L. Alford and Jane Alford in Lubbock, TX. The youngest of four, he was welcomed by siblings John, Thomas Richard, and Jane Ann. His childhood involved several moves between Louisiana and Texas, memorable pets including a duck named Waddles, and a gusto for playing basketball since his teenage years that never left him. Bob loved his family deeply and despite living several states away for most of his adult life, he visited them as much as he could and often with his young family in tow.

A brilliant man, Bob graduated from his beloved LSU in 1962. He was always quick to share stories of his Sigma Chi life, his ROTC service where he achieved the rank of 1st lieutenant in the U.S. Army, and his escapades around New Orleans and LSU football and basketball games.

After college, he left home to start his professional career at Dow Chemical in Midland, Michigan where he met his beautiful wife, Renee Rahl. They married in November 1963 and then moved to Cleveland, OH before landing in Clearwater, FL where their oldest daughters, Jill and Jennifer, were born. They relocated to Midland, Michigan where their daughter, Lisa, was born, and then moved a few years later to Columbus, Ohio where their son, Rob, was born. The family transferred for his career a few more times before landing in Sparta, NJ for the best 37 years anyone could ask for.

While living in Sparta, he worked for BASF Corporation where he was an accomplished executive in the chemical industry, even developing several patents. He would often be found late at night working at the kitchen table; his work ethic was second to none.

Golf, LSU sports, the Lake Mohawk Golf Club (his beloved local course of which he was a member for over 30 years), travel, his many dear friends, wife, children, and pets were his greatest passions. He loved to have fun – often building fires down by the pond behind the house for barbeques and clam bakes (with lots of beverages, of course)!

Christmastime traditions were special to Bob. The annual selection of the perfect Christmas tree, decorating the outside trees, watching classic Christmas movies, and most of all spending time with family and friends were pure joy to him!

Bob’s sweet southern drawl endeared him to all the northerners in his life. His term of endearment for Renee was Sugar Pill, but for years, she thought he was calling her Sugar “Peel.” Again, that accent!

Bob loved all the “dog type dogs” that came and went throughout his life – especially Brooks, Maximus, Sugar Plum, Shuppie, JJ, Lady, and many others. He also loved all the “cat type cats” that passed through his life; all were key anchors to him. But most notably, the family’s extraordinary big orange cat, Fezziwig. Bob often shared stories about how Fezz would bestow extra attention to family that had returned home from extended time away. Even as his disease progressed, he always recognized pictures of Fezz.

His generous, fun, and sweet spirit will be sorely missed by his family and friends.

Bob is survived by wife Renee: children and their families, Jill (Colin) Sullivan, Jennifer, Lisa (Sean), and Rob (Celeste) as well as his adoring sister, Jane Ann Welch, several nephews, a niece, and countless others who loved him.

He is also survived by his grandchildren, Lauren, Meaghan, Elizabeth, Katherine, and Nola, as well as step grandchildren Tristan, Emma, and Lilly. Bob was proud of all of them.

The family expresses gratitude to Ascension Oaks and Hospice for the care they provided. They are also beholden to John Johnson and Mary Sheets, special residents of Ascension Oaks, for keeping extra eyes on him out of the goodness of their hearts during his time there.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like to endow an oak tree on the LSU campus in Bob’s memory. Gifts can be made online or by check, made payable to the LSU Foundation (notation: Oak Endowment Robert Alford ‘62) and mailed to Endow an Oak, LSU Foundation, 3796 Nicolson Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70802.

A celebration of life will be planned for Spring/Summer of 2026.