Robert “Bob” Eugene Aten of Bloomington, Indiana, passed away on Saturday, September 12, 2026 at the age of 86. He was born in Bartonville, Illinois on June 15, 1940 to parents Dorothy and Herbert Aten. Bob attended Indiana State University, where he met his future wife, Ruth Shackelford. They got engaged on Christmas day in 1962. After graduating, they were married on June 22, 1963.
Bob began his career working as a junior high school science teacher in Danville, Illinois. He later taught in Indianapolis, before deciding to go back to school to obtain a Ph.D. from Purdue University. Bob and Ruth welcomed two sons, Russell and Roy. While Bob was working on his Ph.D,, the family lived on Lake Freeman, where they enjoyed skiing and swimming in the lake. When Bob was doing dissertation research in the Crazy Mountains, for 3 years during the summers, the family lived in a tent in Big Timber, Montana.
After obtaining his Ph.D., Bob began working for an engineering consulting company. After several moves around the United States, the family moved to Iran. Bob worked as a project manager in building a new power plant. When the 1978 revolution began, the family escaped Iran and moved into a home on Lake Monroe. Bob co-founded and served as the president of the Geoscience Research Association. He and Ruth both retired in 2007.
Bob is survived by his loving wife, Ruth (Shackelford) Aten; sons Russell (Lisa) Aten and Roy Aten, both of Bloomington; sister Patricia Cummins of Illinois; grandchildren Nicole, Erik, Adriaen, and Victoria; and great-grandson Isaiah.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Dorothy and Herbert Aten, and his brother James Aten.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 24, 2026 at Sherwood Oaks Christian Church from 12pm to 2pm, and the funeral service will follow at 2pm, with Pastor Shawn Green officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sherwood Oaks Christian Church, 2700 E. Rogers Rd., Bloomington, Indiana 47401, US, or at https://www.socc.org/give/.
