Robert G. Mapes passed away March 25, 2016. Mr. Mapes was born in Tuscumbia, Alabama and graduated from Deshler High School where he met his wife, Dot McDaniel, and they dated for four and one-half years before marrying in 1948. Mr. Mapes served in the U.S. Army as a chief warrant officer from 1951 to 1954. He served in the Korean War in the 24th Infantry Division and the 75th AAA Battalion and was awarded the Korean Service Medal with four battle stars and the Combat Infantry Badge. Mr. Mapes received a B.S.E.E. degree from The University of Alabama School of Engineering in 1957. He served on the board of directors of the Capstone Engineering Society. He was a district vice president of the National Alumni Association and in 1988 was elected a distinguished engineering fellow of the UA College of Engineering. Mr. Mapes joined the U.S. Army Ballistic Missile Agency in 1958 working with the original team of German scientists in the guidance and control laboratory. In 1960, he joined Astro Space Laboratory, a company founded by three of the German scientists, to develop new inertial guidance instruments. Mr. Mapes was vice president of marketing at Astro Space when he left to join Battelle Memorial Institute. He was director of Battelle’s Huntsville operation for 22 years before retiring in 1995. Mr. Mapes continued to consult for Battelle after his retirement. Mr. Mapes was an avid golfer, a University of Alabama football fan attending games since 1943, and a member of Valley Hill Country Club from its beginning serving as its first elected president. Mr. Mapes was an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church from its early days until his death.
Mr. Mapes is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 68 years, Dorothy McDaniel Mapes; daughters, Nancy Mapes O’Neal (Ernest), of Wilmot, Arkansas, and Cherie Mapes Theis (John), of Daphne, Alabama; grandsons, Greg O’Neal, Robert O’Neal (Jessica), and Todd Theis (Katie); granddaughters, Leigh Ann Hargrove, Amy Hargrove, and Beth Theis Ivy (Drew); great-granddaughters, Kinlee O’Neal, Abby O’Neal, and Claire Ivy; brother, Tommy Mapes (Tammy); and nephew, Richard Quinby.
He was preceded in death by parents, Ted and Mabel Mapes; daughter, Lisa Mapes Hargrove; brother, Ted Mapes; and sister, Betty Quinby.
Visitation was from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday at Trinity United Methodist Church, Huntsville. The funeral service followed at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Mac Buttram and Dr. Rick Owen officiating. Burial was at Oakwood Cemetery in Tuscumbia, Alabama. (www.laughlinservice.com)
Memorials may be sent to the building fund of the Trinity United Methodist Church.
