Robert Blaine Held
Obituary
WICHITA - Robert Blaine Held, 86,
(Blaine to his family and family friends) grew up in rural Kansas in
the Furley and Whitewater area. Growing up on a farm, he was always a
farmer at heart. Before joining the Air Force, he worked on the farm
with his father and brother. Later, after college, he raised cattle
as a sideline and then later in life started an Emu farm with his
son. His grandson's also raised cattle and worked in agriculture and
he was always excited to visit them and the farm. In the fall, he
loved to go to the Kansas Corn Shucking Contests. He took many of his
family and friends to Oakley Kansas to learn how corn picking was
done by hand. But he enjoyed the friendships and fellowship at these
events as much as the corn shucking.
Robert started his career after college
at Allis Chalmers in Independence, Missouri. At Allis Chalmers he was
involved in the development and testing of the early self-propelled
combines. After a few years, he had an opportunity to join the
engineering team at Cessna. Robert excelled at aircraft structural
engineering during his 42 year career. He led the Structural
Integrity Engineering group in the development of pressurized cabin
planes and Cessna's business jet program. He became known throughout
the world as one of the premier structural engineers, serving on task
groups and committees worldwide to improve aircraft structural design
and safety.
Robert's work family (and they were
certainly a family), always knew that Robert was always there to
lead, teach, and provide wisdom and direction. He was known as a
leader by example. He was an encourager, a good listener. He loved
working with people. As a very accomplished engineer and manager, he
was most proud of how he interacted with the people he worked with
and how the team worked together, than the actual accomplishments.
Robert always had faith in people. He would challenge people,
sometimes beyond what they thought they could accomplish, but he
would always mentor them to make sure they were successful. He was
known for lot for words of wisdom, but is fondly remember for a few:
"Go slow and get there fast"; "Don't sweat the small
stuff, and it's all small stuff"; "Decide to Decide"
and " We all need to be flexible and have patience".
Robert also taught Adult Sunday School
at West Heights United Methodist. This was a great pleasure in his
life. He loved teaching and learning as a group and loved the
discussions and sharing that followed. He was thought of by them as a
wise, kind and gentle man. He also worked with the Interfaith
Ministries to help many less fortunate people in the Wichita area and
Haiti. He cared for others that he did not know as he did for those
he did know.
Robert was known for his love of life
and love of learning and teaching. He truly loved sharing his life
and experiences with others. This teaching became part of all areas
of his life. He taught his children and grandchildren many lessons
that others would say are evident today if you know them. There is no
doubt that his love of life; caring for others; learning and
teaching; his ability to listen and encourage; his character and
conviction for doing the right thing; and his ability to make all
people feel important; still live on in his children, grandchildren,
family and friends.
A Visitation with family and friends
will be held from 1:00 – 8:00 p.m., Thursday evening at Lamb
Funeral Home, Whitewater. The Funeral Service will be held at 1:00
p.m., Friday, November 20, 2015, at West Heights United Methodist
Church, 745 N Westlink, Wichita. A Committal Service will be held at
3:00 p.m., Friday, at the Green Valley Cemetery, rural Furley.
Memorial Funds have been established for the Robert B. Held Endowed
Engineering Scholarship at Wichita State University, in care of Lamb
Funeral Home, 120 S Main, Whitewater, KS, 67154. Online condolences
may be left at: www.zeinferfuneralhomes.com.
