Robert Edward Hollingsworth

Robert Edward Hollingsworth died August 22nd, 2009, following a long illness. A lifelong Texan, Bob will be remembered for his quiet, gentle ways and his devotion to work and family. Bob was born in Dallas on December 28, 1926, the son of Will Ed and Marguerite Kellum Hollingsworth. He grew up in Beaumont, but spent many summers with his grandparents and uncle at their Austin-area farm, where he walked in the woods, fished in the creek, and enjoyed country life. He attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned a BA in Physics and MA in Mathematics. While a student, he met Helen Virginia Panas, also a student there, whom he would marry on Christmas Eve, 1948. Their student years were happy ones, and Bob and Virginia enjoyed many outdoor activities with friends, such as canoeing, hiking, and swimming across Lake Austin. In later years gardening became a favorite pastime for the couple. Bob spent his entire career as a research scientist with the University of Texas, for several decades in the field of underwater acoustics at the Applied Research Laboratories. Although officially retired, Bob continued working part-time for ARL until December, 2008. In early 2009, his cumulative 54 years of service earned him recognition in the UT publication Our Campus as the longest tenured staff member at the University of Texas. Bob was known to be an enthusiastic mentor to the many younger scientists who joined ARL over the years. Bob is survived by his wife of 60 years, Helen Virginia Hollingsworth; three sons, David, his wife Holly Elliston, their son Parker of Austin; Will, his wife Tracy Harris, their children Anthony and Lydia of St. Paul, Minnesota; and Robert, of Dripping Springs. A fourth son, John, died in 1974. The family thanks the many medical and other professionals who have been caring for Bob and Virginia in recent months. Special thanks go to Mary Adolfo of The Home Option, and Suzanne Oliver of Proper Care. Memorial donations, in the name of Robert E. Hollingsworth, for the purpose of supporting the UT Department of Mathematics, may be sent to: The University of Texas Development Office, Attn: Andy de Waal, PO Box 7458, Austin TX 78713. The family will receive friends on Sunday, August 30, 2009, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home in Austin.