Rockwall, TX - Robert (Bob) Louis Schlumpf, born June 15th, 1932, passed away peacefully at the age of 93 on August 19th, 2025, after a long and fruitful life of giving and accomplishment. He was born in Houston, Texas, to Robert Way and Mildred Wellensiek Schlumpf. Bob was a consummate engineer and designer, who played an outsized role in the United States space exploration programs during the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. He attended San Jacinto High School in Houston. After a short time at Parks College in East St. Louis studying engineering, he transferred to the University of Texas, where he earned a bachelor's degree in engineering, and a master's degree in aeronautical engineering in just 5 years. It was there that he met Florence Scarborough, who became the love of his life and constant companion for 70 years. They were married on December 22nd, 1955, in San Antonio, Texas, and began their life together. Bob was a Lt. Colonel in the University of Texas Air Force ROTC, and a member of the 8th Regiment of the National Society of Scabbard and Blade, a military honor society. Upon his graduation with a bachelor's degree in engineering, he was commissioned as a First Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. He continued with wind tunnel research for his master's degree in aeronautical engineering, completing it the following year. Bob and Florence began their journey together as he participated in the emerging United States missile and space program, first working as an Air Force engineer at the Wright Patterson Air Force Base wind tunnel facility. After fulfilling his military service commitment, he returned to Austin to teach engineering for one year at the University of Texas, while also working in the Defense Research Lab. Opportunity beckoned with a new position working at the USAF Arnold Engineering Development Wind Tunnel facility in Tullahoma, Tennessee, where their first child, Richard Eric, was born. Wanting a larger role in the space program, in 1961 he took a position at McDonnell Douglas' Alpha Test Complex in the Sacramento, California area, where he was an important member of the design teams modifying the Titan ICBM missile so it could be used as the booster for the Gemini space program, and fuel systems design for the Saturn S-IV and S-IVB booster engines used in the Apollo space program. While in Sacramento, Florence gave birth to their daughter, Cindy Ann (Gilmore) and their second son, Kevin Randolph. Bob had a lifelong love of aviation, and he purchased a Temco Swift two-seater single engine airplane, which he loved flying. He became a member of the Experimental Aviation Association, and designed novel wingtips for the Swift that are similar to those seen today on some large commercial aircraft. After the Swift, Bob took on an even more complex project, acquiring a four-seater Piper Commanche single engine aircraft that had crashed in the Mojave Desert in Southern California. He took the wreck and parts back to his Sacramento home, and rebuilt the plane in his garage, ultimately flying it with his family throughout Northern California. To complete the project, Bob had to master riveting, rebuilding the engine and control systems, instrumentation, aluminum work, upholstery and spray painting. He also undertook two car restorations during his time in Northern California. In 1972, Bob took a job as an engineer with Bendix Corporation in Kansas City, designing automotive parts and subsystems. Missing his love of aviation and aerospace, he and his family moved to Clear Lake City, Texas, where he worked in both offshore oil and gas engineering positions, and a job supporting the Space Shuttle program as a design engineer. In 1982, Bob returned to private aviation, taking a job as the senior engineer for Mooney Aircraft, now Mooney International, in Kerrville, Texas. Bob finished his engineering career in the Dallas / Fort Worth area working first at E-Systems, then finally at the Super Conducting Super Collider Project. He retired to his home in Rockwall, Texas with his wife, Florence. In retirement, Bob renewed his childhood interest in woodworking, creating elegant wooden toys for children receiving treatment at the Scottish Rite Children's Hospital. His work was auctioned each year during the hospital's annual fundraiser. Bob was a master engineer, tinkerer, designer artist and builder. His life's pursuits could best be described as precise and elegant, two words that are the highest compliment any engineer could hope for. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Florence, his three children Eric (Debbie), Cindy, Kevin (Tracey), his five grandchildren Tyler (Alicia), Kyle (Rozalyn), Nathan (Bella), Brittany (Jake), and Kellen, and his six great-grandchildren Rowan, Isaac, Nora, Eli, Charlie, and Isla. His legacy is a family of strong, successful and capable children and grandchildren involved in a wide variety of professions and activities. His family is so proud of their beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather and will miss him. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Scottish Rite Hospital through their Office of Development & Alumni Relations, P.O. Box 910888, Dallas, TX 75391-0888, Phone: 214-648-2344; or to First Presbyterian Church of Rockwall, Texas, P.O. Box 692, Rockwall, TX 75087-0692. A Celebration of Life will be held, 1:00pm, Saturday, August 30, 2025 at First Presbyterian Rockwall.