Robert Arthur Cox

Robert Arthur Cox was born in San Diego on September 29, 1929. He attended John Adams Elementary School, Woodrow Wilson Jr. High and Herbert Hoover High School, graduating in 1947.  Following High school he attended San Diego State initially majoring in Engineering, switching to Business and back again to Engineering.  During college he was vice-president of the Theta Chi Fraternity, a member of the Tau Sigma Business fraternity and the San Diego State College Engineers Association. He also worked as a student grading papers for both Business and Engineering professors.

During college he met Louise Roper at a Hoover vs San Diego High School football game. They married on April 4, 1952 during Robert’s senior year in college, remaining in the San Diego area where Robert went to work at Convair in the mechanical design department.  Early in his career he worked on the design of the hydraulic and pneumatic systems of the F102 Intercepter.  Later he worked in the pre-design section on the 880 transport, later being responsible for the design of the hydraulic system for actuating landing gear and brakes.  In 1960 he was transferred to the Astronautics division and became responsible for the design of the pneumatic systems installed at launch sites for space launch vehicles such as the Atlas Centaur. He later worked on the Cruise Missile program. Robert worked for General Dynamics for 39 years, retiring in October 1991.

He was able to separate his work and family life.  Robert loved camping, swimming and, most of all, sailing.  He was an active member of the General Dynamics Sailing club and enjoyed sailing with his friends each week until he was in his eighties.

In his later years he experienced a severe fall and lived at Rose Garden Guest Home.  Robert was loved and cared for by Jill, Josie, Baby and Nida who loved him as much as his family.  He passed away quietly in his sleep on Monday Feb 12, 2024. 

Robert was predeceased by his wife, Louise Cox,  parents Arthur and Beverly Cox, sister Cecelia Johnson, and son Brian Cox.  He is survived by his son Greg Cox of Escondido, CA, his daughter Teresa Babakan and her husband Mark of Las Vegas, NV.  He is also survived by 2 grandsons, Benjamin Christian of West Columbia, SC and Zachary Christian of Columbus, OH and by four great-grandsons and a great-granddaughter.

He touched the lives of all he met and will be greatly missed by friends and family alike.