Robert Benson Bliss Sr.

Bob was born in Birmingham on November 7, 1934. He graduated from Woodlawn High School in 1952 and was awarded a Navy Honors Scholarship to Auburn University, where he graduated with honors in 1956. Shortly after graduating, he married the love of his life, Peggy Joann Holley, on June 4, 1956. Together, Bob and Peggy shared 63 years of marriage and a lifetime of memories.

Bob proudly served in the United States Navy as a Lieutenant Junior Grade from 1952 to 1959. Following his military service, he began a long and distinguished career with Alabama Power Company. For a brief period, he worked with NASA as a lead engineer on the Saturn V booster that carried astronauts to the moon. Bob returned to Alabama Power, where he spent the next 40 years serving as an electrical engineer and later as a consultant.

Bob also served as a contract engineer for Oglethorpe Power in Georgia for five years and was actively involved in his community, including a campaign for Birmingham City Council. After retiring from Alabama Power, he became a partner in Little Gatlinburg, a gift shop that at one time was the largest distributor of Beanie Babies in the Southeast.

Bob was deeply involved in the organizations and communities that meant so much to him. He was an honorary initiate of Tau Kappa Epsilon at Auburn University and served for several years on the Board of Trustees for the fraternity’s chapter at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He was also a longtime member of Woodlawn United Methodist Church, where he served as a youth leader and devoted himself to his church and community.

Above all, Bob was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. He loved his “Peppi” for 63 years and was immensely proud of his family. Bob lived his life with a deep sense of responsibility to those he loved. In 1942, when Bob was just seven years old, his father entrusted him with a dying wish: “Take care of the women in the family.” Bob carried those words with him throughout his life and honored that promise in countless ways.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Peggy Holley Bliss; his parents, Stewart Alvin Bliss, Sr. and Birdie Inez Roquemore Bliss; his sisters, Barbara Bliss McCarley, and Mary Bliss Anderson; and his brother, Stewart Alvin Bliss.

Bob is survived by his children, Robert Benson Bliss, Jr., Holley Bliss Whaley (Tim), Susan Bliss Bezkor (Bill); his grandchildren, MSgt (Ret) Clayton Stewart Dykes (Shelley), Marie Elizabeth Phillips (Edward), Andrew William Dykes, Andrea Caroline Bliss (Michele), Robert (Trey) Benson Bliss, III, William Theodore Bezkor, III, SaraGrace Bezkor Letien (Hayden); his great-grandchildren, Eva Faith Dykes, Clayton Paul Dykes, Ezekiel (Zeke) Robert Dykes, Elizabeth (Lizzy) Jennifer Phillips, Edward William Phillips, Natalia Lee Phillips, Juliette Rae Bliss-VanRoosendael, William (Scottie) Scott Letien; his sister-in-law, Shirley Bliss; his sister-in-law, Linda Holley; his brother-in-law, Tom Holley; and a host of nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held at Ridout's Southern Heritage Funeral Home, 475 Cahaba Valley Road, Pelham, AL 35124 on August 5, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, followed by a Celebration of Life at 11:00 am. A committal service will be held at Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo, AL at 1:15 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Woodlawn United Methodist Church.

The family sends their heartfelt appreciation to Andrew Dykes for his loving care of PopPop for many years. They would also like to thank Enhabit Home Health and Hospice, especially Luke and Malissa.

Bob was well loved by all that knew him and his legacy will live on. Rest in peace, PopPop. You will be dearly missed.