Robert Lewis Taylor

TAYLOR, ROBERT LEWIS “Bob” age 94, of Birmingham, AL passed away on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2019 after a short illness. Bob was a long-time member of Briarwood Presbyterian Church. He attended schools in New Orleans, Louisiana and Jackson, Mississippi. He graduated from Phillips High School in Birmingham in 1942. He then briefly enrolled at the University of Alabama before entering WWII. That service from 1943-1946 included training as a United States Army Air Force Cadet, Radio Operator and The West Point Cadet Program. Bob returned to the University of Alabama graduating in 1948 with a BS in Civil Engineering. It was there that he met his loving wife of 71 years, Betty Jo Jackson Taylor. Upon graduation he was recruited for a position and began his career with Humble Oil & Refining in New Orleans. Bob then served five years as a Second Lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers during the Korean War. In 1953, Taylor began as a Field Engineer in land development for the former Tennessee Coal and Iron Company. He subsequently held several management positions with United States Steel Corporation including Chief Engineer and Supervisor of Southern Raw Materials Property. He became the Manager-Southern Lands & Minerals for 18 years retiring in 1989. After retirement Bob enjoyed attending the University of Alabama football games with his family, playing golf and gardening.

Bob was appointed as a “Distinguished Engineering Fellow and Outstanding Civil Engineer” in the first selected class for the College of Engineering at the University of Alabama in 1988. He was past State President of the Alabama Society of Professional Land Surveyors, a member of Theta Tau Honorary Engineering Fraternity and on the Capstone Engineering Society Board of Directors. He was also a member of The American Congress on Surveying and Mapping, and The American Institute of Mining Engineers, The University of Alabama Alumni Association, The Denny Society, Allan Cott School Board of Directors and the Shelby County, Alabama Planning & Zoning Commission.

He is survived by one daughter, Deborah Taylor Shepherd (Hal), one son, Robert L. Taylor, Jr., five grandchildren, Jennifer Taylor Earnest (Tim), Robert Michael Taylor, Holly Shepherd Lollar (Chris), Wilson Hunter Shepherd (Sarah) and Michael Taylor Shepherd (Carol) as well as 11 great grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held at 12:30 PM on Thursday, January 2, 2019 at Danberry Retirement Home in Inverness. Visitation will be from noon to 12:30 PM. Burial will follow at 2:30 PM at Alabama National Cemetery, a United States National Veterans Cemetery located in Montevallo, Alabama. Dr. Mark Cushman will be officiating. Bob will be greatly missed, always loved and forever remembered. He treasured his family dearly and always showed thankfulness for anything that was done for him. The family wishes to express our gratitude to Daniel Waseka, his caregiver and “Buddy” for his dedication and loving care.