Robert “Bob” Ross Mitchell passed away peacefully at home on November 29 at the age of 78. He was born in Tuscaloosa to Ferdinand Haviland Mitchell and Mary Little Mitchell on January 9, 1942. Bob’s early childhood was spent in upstate New York where his father was on the faculty at West Point. After the end of the war, the family returned to Tuscaloosa where Dr. Mitchell returned to the faculty of the University of Alabama. Bob graduated from Tuscaloosa High School in 1960 and the University of Alabama in 1964. During those years, Bob enjoyed playing tennis, playing drums in the high school band, and became entranced with racing cars.
After graduation, he moved to Huntsville, accepted a job at (then) Brown Engineering and he built his first race car, a Triumph TR3. That interest in racing continued on for many years, many cars, many wins. In 1967, he won the SCCA national championship in E sports racing, but he was most successful in 12-hour or 24-hour endurance races, including wins at Daytona and Sebring, and, late in his career, as a co-driver with Cale Yarborough at the 24-hours of Le Mans.
After leaving Brown Engineering, Bob went to work as a civilian employee of the Army, based on Redstone Arsenal. He enjoyed the challenges of his work there in research and development of laser guidance for missiles and he holds a dozen patents related to that work. He received many awards during his time there, including the Department of the Army Research and Development Award for 1995.
After his racing career ended, Bob took up tennis again and also turned his talents to building models of airplanes, ships and steam engines. These models are correct to the tiniest detail and the quality of workmanship won him awards at model competitions. And many a weekend was spent flying radio-controlled gliders that he built (and sometimes crashed).
Through racing, he met Karen, his best friend and the love of his life. They married in 1974 and spent many happy years racing, traveling and enjoying their beach house. Bob was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2008 and their life together was then dedicated to slowing the progression of the disease. He was an active participant in the Rock Steady Boxing program as long as he was able.
Bob was predeceased by his parents, Ferd Mitchell, Sr. and Mary Mitchell. He is survived by his wife, Karen; brother, Ferd Mitchell, Jr. (Cheryl), sisters-in-law, Linda Logue and Kenya Frazier (Rich); many beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was a loving, kind and generous man with a true talent for mentoring others. He will be missed by all who knew him.
The family wishes to thank Seniors Prefer Homecare and especially Molly McCune for her loving care for Bob during this difficult time. In addition, Southern Care Hospice provided invaluable aid and support.
Due to the Covid crisis, there will be no service. A celebration of life will be planned for a future date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Rock Steady Boxing (Huntsville-Madison Co. Senior Center, 2200 Drake Ave., Huntsville, 35805), or to the Humane Society (2812 Johnson Rd. SW B, Huntsville, 35805) or to the charity of your choice.
