Born in Dallas, Texas, he was a graduate of the venerable Woodrow Wilson High School. He attended Texas A&M as a member of the Corps, joining the Army Air Corps in 1943 and serving in the Pacific Theater. He returned after being a part of the Occupation Force in Tokyo, to enroll in SMU and earn his degree in Electrical Engineering. After graduation, he went to work in the military aviation industry for Convair, which became a part of General Dynamics, and later Lockheed Martin. He spent his entire career with the company, the early years involving stints near air bases in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida, Rapid City, South Dakota, and Spokane, Washington, plus a stop in New York City, before settling in Fort Worth in 1957. His work took him to many international destinations as various countries acquired American built aircraft for their Air Forces.
He was an active member of University Baptist Church from the early 1960s, a golfer, a little league coach, and an enthusiastic football fan, especially his beloved SMU Mustangs. He enjoyed puttering in the yard, embarking on a road trip, sinking into a good book, and trading stories with his fellow Lockheed Martin Retirees Association members.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Billye, his younger sister Barbara Ann Richardson of Houston, older brother Jack Allen of Plano and is survived by son, Robert Gordon Kisler, Jr. and his wife Lois of Coppell, daughter Nancy Elizabeth of Dallas, and grandson Adam Robert of Fort Worth.
Bob to his friends, Gordon to his family, he was a faithful friend, and a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. A quiet, strong, generous man, he cherished time with his family and set a truly wonderful example of what it was to be a responsible, dependable, up standing person for us all. We, his children and grandson, are so grateful to have been by his bedside as he took his final breaths, and while we will miss him horribly, we consider ourselves so incredibly lucky to share the many wonderful memories of this exceptional man to help fill the emptiness.
A Fallen Limb
A limb has fallen from the family tree. I keep hearing a voice that says, "Grieve not for me. Remember the best times, the laughter, the song. The good life I lived while I was strong. Continue my heritage, I'm counting on you. Keep smiling and surely the sun will shine through. My mind is at ease, my soul is at rest. Remembering all, how I truly was blessed. Continue traditions, no matter how small. Go on with your life, don't worry about falls. I miss you dearly, so keep up your chin. Until the day comes we're together again.
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