Robert Colyer Montgomery

Robert Colyer Montgomery Sr. passed away at 84 on November 22, 2025, at home surrounded by family and friends. Robert was born in Jacksonville, Florida to William Thomas Shircliff Montgomery Sr. and Irene Colyer Montgomery on December 29, 1940. He was the middle child of the family, with one older brother (William) and one younger sister (Helen). He was confirmed with his sister at St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church on Palm Sunday, April 3, 1955. Robert demonstrated a gifted mastery of music, displaying a talent at an early age which he cultivated to an advanced piano proficiency just below concert level.

Robert was a Cadet at The Bolles School and graduated from St. Johns Country Day School in 1958, where he was named the outstanding student of his class. He spent two years in the Army Reserve and graduated from Auburn University in 1964 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. At Auburn, he received the President’s Award as the top graduate in the School of Engineering and was the recipient of the Industrial Press Award, given to the outstanding student in the field of Air Conditioning. He was elected to the scholastic honor societies of Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Eta Sigma, the engineering honor fraternities of Pi Tau Sigma and Tau Beta Pi and was a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Student Engineers Council. Additionally, he was a Brother of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity and an Orientation Leader during his time at Auburn University.

Robert spent his career as a Florida Certified Professional Engineer and executive at Montgomery Industries International, Inc., a family-owned business started by his father in 1925 as the Jacksonville Blowpipe Company. Carrying on his father’s legacy of unique invention and design, Robert received three United States Patents between 1991 and 1993. He also furthered the reach of Montgomery Industries by earning his pilot’s license to make sales calls. His love of mathematics and strategy found further expression in Stock Market Investing and Bridge Playing, where he reached the level of Gold Life Master.

Robert is predeceased by his brother WTS Montgomery Jr. and his sister Helen Montgomery Farnsworth.

He is survived by the love of his life, Ann King Milton; his sons Robert Montgomery Jr. (Carla) and Jonathan Montgomery (Dawn); his grandsons Jason Hecht (Jacqueline) and Colin Montgomery (Peyton); his granddaughters Stacie Hecht, Colyer Montgomery, Patricia Montgomery, and Lane Montgomery; and his great-grandchildren Colt Hecht and AubrieHazel Hecht.

His large and loving family lives in Jacksonville, FL, Marietta, GA, Atlanta, GA, Mobile, AL, Auburn, AL, Cedar Mountain, NC, and London, England.

Arrangements are being handled by Hardage-Giddens, Oaklawn Cemetery. A church memorial service will be held on Monday, December 15, 2025, 11:00 AM at St. Johns Presbyterian Church, 4275 Herschel Street, Jacksonville, FL 32210