Robert Wayne Downing died on Oct 12 ^th , 2022 at the age of 89.  He was born in Portageville MO and attended Wardell High School.  After graduation, he enlisted in the USAF, proudly serving in the Air Defense Command and the USAF Interceptor Weapons School.  He was the first to achieve an expert controller rating on a new computer control system in Europe and was instrumental in the design of the interceptor tactics used by the system. He received 2 commendation medals for Meritorious Service and the U.S. Presidential Meritorious Service Medal for outstanding service.  After 20 years, he retired from the USAF in Jacksonville FL and obtained a B.A. in computer science and an M.B.A. in business administration. He then worked for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida as a systems analyst and became the Director of information Resource Management and Administration, retiring again after 20 years.

Bob married Etha Rae Moody in 1952.  They enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. and Europe and made many life-long friends in the Air Force.  They welcomed a son, James Downing, to the family in 1969.  Bob enjoyed golf, dancing and watching baseball and football.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Claude Lee and Carrie Eula ("Ada") Downing, his wife, Etha Rae and his brothers Rondal Gene Downing, and Charles Thomas Downing.  He is survived by his son James Downing, sister in-law Virginia Downing, and many nieces and nephews.