Robert (Bob) W. Downes

Robert (Bob) Washington Downes, 91, passed peacefully into the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Sunday, September 22, 2024. Bob was born October 11, 1932 to Horace James and Alice Lee (Smith) Downes in Laurel, Delaware. September 3, 1952 he married Fay Loretta Collins who, as he reminded everyone, he fell in love with in the fourth grade.

Bob enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1950 and proudly served on the USS Rooks (DD-804) during the Korean War. Upon his honorable discharge in 1953 he served in the National Guard until 1959, honorably discharged at the rank of Master Sergeant. He also worked as an electronics technician at WBOC in Salisbury, MD. In 1959 Bob joined IBM and he, Fay, and their 3 children moved to Kingston, NY. In the early 1960s he traveled a great deal to Houston, TX working on the development of bright tube display diagnostic programming and display and communications equipment for the Apollo space program at the Johnson Space Center. In 1966, as IBM established its foothold in RTP, the family moved to Raleigh, NC. Bob worked on many development projects, much of which involved RAS (Reliability, Availability, and Serviceability). Upon his retirement in 1991 as a Senior Engineer, Bob had written technical papers, been granted 3 patents and received numerous awards during his career, including an Outstanding Technical Achievement Award in 1986 for IBM Token-Ring Network ring error monitor.

In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his daughter Wanda Downes; grandson John Little; daughters-in-law Donna Uhl Downes and Claudia "Sue" Chandler Downes; sisters Beatrice Joseph and Doris Brown; brothers Lester Downes, Virgil Downes and infant Emeroy Downes; and brother-in-law Joseph Bruce Collins.

He is survived by his loving wife Fay of 72 years; daughter Cindy Clowers (Jimmy) of Cary, NC; son Robert T. (Tim) Downes of Angier, NC; grandchildren: Ella Little (Jason Trayler) of Paragould, AR; Matthew Downes (Meghan) of Las Cruces, NM, Kristen Downes of Cary, Brandon Clowers (Moira Conlon) of Cary, Rob Clowers (fiance Samantha Labrador) of Charlotte, NC; great-grandchildren: Alex and Riley Ward; Samantha Robinson (Nicholas), Shannon, Lilly, and Rose Downes; Tiernan and Larkin Conlon-Clowers; brother Roland Downes (Eleanor) and sister Grace Armiger of Seaford, DE; brothers-in-law Kenneth Collins of Archdale, NC, Dennis Collins (Polly) of Pittsville, MD, and Rudy Collins (Pat Green) of Seaford, DE.

Bob enjoyed hunting, especially with Tim, Jimmy, his grandsons, Tim's best friend Kent Duke and Kent's sons. He excelled at playing chess, which he taught each of his children and grandchildren. He was an avid reader, particularly books of Civil War and World War II history. He enjoyed golf and celebrated a hole-in-one at Raleigh Country Club. He was an election volunteer serving as a judge at his polling station in the 1980s. He loved our country and believed strongly that every person is created equal and all should be treated with kindness and respect. He was an N.C State fan. All who knew Bob were touched by his compassion, strength, and generosity. His greatest legacy is the unconditional love and devotion he and Fay had for one another and their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and their children's and grandchildren's spouses.

Over the last 8 years, our family has been touched by many who have supported and cared for Bob and Fay: the amazing staff at Cambridge Village of Apex, who have provided a wonderful, thriving independent environment; Interim HealthCare who provided home healthcare at Cambridge (especially Myra Spencer); Amedisys Hospice, who helped us navigate these last several months. In addition, Jerome Sebesta who has a true heart for our U.S. Veterans.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Genesis United Methodist Church in Cary, NC Thursday, October 3, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. If you wish to make a donation in Bob's memory, the family thanks you for considering the Wounded Warrior Project, Amedysis Hospice Care, or Genesis UMC.