Robert L. Petty, 82, of Huntsville passed away Thursday, August 21, 2025. Born in Livingston, TX, he was the oldest of four children born to Jean and Geraldine Petty. Robert graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Physics.
In 1964, he married Fonda Anderson and they were happily married for 61 years. They moved to Huntsville from Houston to work on the Apollo 13 mission at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. They later returned to Houston where he worked at M.W. Kellogg Company designing oil refineries in Saudi Arabia. During that time, he moved his family to London and commuted for work. In 1993, he was recruited by the Integraph Corporation in Huntsville where he eventually retired as Vice President.
Robert was an active member of Whitesburg Baptist Church and was always strong in his faith. He was a true Texas A&M “12th man” embodying the beliefs of selfless service and unwavering support to his church, his family and his beloved Aggies. Robert loved woodworking and made furniture for the church and many friends.
Survivors include his wife, Fonda; daughter, Michelle Horne (Raymond); 4 grandchildren, Jame Blackmon (Molly), Kami Pilgrim (Nick), Cory Blackmon and Andi Blackmon; 2 great grandchildren, Oliver Pilgrim and Freya Pilgrim; and sisters, Gladys Wilks (David), Peggy Reynoso (Paul), and Terry Petty (Troy).
Memorials may be made to Whitesburg Missions at Whitesburg Baptist Church, 6806 Whitesburg Drive, Huntsville, AL 35802 (https://onrealm.org/WhitesburgBaptist/-/form/give/now).
A family service will be held in Texas at a later date.
