Robert Allen Pettijohn of McKinney, Texas passed away on April 22, 2020 at the age of 91. He was born on November 4, 1928 to Andrew J. and Martha M. Pettijohn in a sod house on the family farm in Kit Carson, Colorado. After graduating from high school he worked on the farm until entering the United States Army on November 4, 1951. Robert served two years during the Korean War. Upon separation for the Army he attended Colorado State University where he acquired his Bachelor of Science degree in soil science. After graduation, he was employed by Texas Research Foundation outside of Dallas, Texas. Robert attended First Baptist Church in Dallas where he met Joy Mitcham whom he married on January 16, 1959.
In August 1962 he began an assistantship at Iowa State University and received a Master of Science in Agronomy in 1964. Upon graduation he became employed by the U.S. Geological Survey Water Resource division in Little Rock, Arkansas. Robert transferred to the Indiana district in July of 1966 where served twelve and a half years. He was then transferred to Lincoln, Nebraska to serve as project leader for the High Plains aquifer study. In 1964 he transferred to Austin, Texas to serve on the Regional Staff of Gulf Coast Regional aquifer; he retired after thirty-two years of service. Robert authored or coauthored thirty-four published reports during his working career. He was active in Southern Baptist churches in Indiana and Texas; he taught Sunday school and fulfilled the role of deacon.
Robert is survived by his wife, Joy of McKinney, Texas; daughters, Deborah and husband, David of Frisco, Texas, Tammy of Georgetown, Texas; granddaughter, Kaleigh; grandsons, Corbin and Connor; sister, Grace; brother, Conrad and wife, Carol of Goodland, Kansas.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
A private graveside service will be held at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.