Robert Ney Marks

Robert Marks, 83 years young, passed away on September 23, 2026, peacefully at home with his wife in Texas.  He was born on July 15, 1943, in Knoxville, Tennessee, to Ney and Lucille Marks.  He grew up in between New Orleans and Shreveport in Louisiana with his two sisters and parents.

Robert attended Jesuit College Prep in Shreveport, Louisiana, from 1957 to 1961.  After high school, he attended Louisiana Tech University.  While there, he received a Bachelor's degree in science and a double Master's degree in mathematics and physics.  While working towards his Master's, he taught math at Louisiana Tech University.  Once he graduated from college, he moved to New Orleans, where he was contracted with Chrysler to work on the Gemini 14 mission, primarily on the Agena Rocket.

In June of 1969, Robert joined the United States Air Force and served until March of 1975.  On October 30, 1972, Robert was awarded, by the Air Force Weapons Laboratory, a certificate of Commendation: Airman of the Month: for recognition of outstanding accomplishments, excellent military bearing, and professionalism displayed in performance of assigned duties.

After basic training in San Antonio, Texas, Robert was stationed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he met Cecilia (Rakoczy) Marks at a church event to meet singles.  He used to tell his family that his friends and he would joke that they would call these events "to catch a Catholic."  Robert said that he fell in love with Cecilia because she laughed at all his jokes.  After two months of dating, Robert proposed to Cecilia, and they were married in October of 1971.  They were married 54 years, just shy of 55, when Robert passed. 

When Robert was honorably discharged from the Air Force, he moved to Santa Barbara in 1973, where he began working for Mission Research Corporation (MRC).  He worked for MRC for the majority of his career as an engineer, with a year hiatus to work for another aerospace organization.  He retired from Mission Research in 2007, completing his career as an aerospace/defense engineer of 33 years.  Robert would take the bus to work every day because he loved the people he would meet and the exchanges they had.  He said he preferred not having to drive and think about his destinations, but to instead be able to just enjoy the ride and the conversations.  There were a few times that he took the family car to work and forgot at the end of the day, taking the bus home and leaving the car at work.  At the end of the day, his children would stand at the corner of their street waiting to see his bus pull up down the block to bring Dad home.  They would then run the three blocks at full speed to catch him and welcome him home.  They would each take turns telling him all about their day on the way back to the house.

For many years, Robert was involved in his church, St. Raphael's.  He had a strong Catholic faith which gave him peace of mind towards the end of his life.  Robert participated in several organizations and groups through his church, including: The Knights of Columbus, Life Teen Youth Ministry group, Santa Barbara 40 Days for Life, Eucharistic Minister, Liturgy staff of SCRC, (Co-founder) St. Joseph's Men's Prayer Group, and a Scout Master for Troop 105.

Robert enjoyed being a Scout Master and youth leader for his church.  He appreciated being able to give back by helping guide and teach the youth to become reliable and responsible adults.  He looked forward to the backpacking, camping, and hiking trips throughout the years and sharing all the crazy stories he lived through along the way.

Robert was a kind, gentle, caring, patient, and quiet man.  He enjoyed the simple things in life, like crossword puzzles or sudoku in the morning newspaper.  He delighted in maps, astronomy, puzzles, reading, playing cards, tinkering in the garage, and recently painting.  He had a dry sense of humor but always landed a punchline.  Robert was a great storyteller, sometimes even sharing glimpses into his childhood, like reciting a poem he was once told when he was younger.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Ney and Lucille Marks.  He is survived by his spouse, Cecilia; his children, Nicole (Don) Keefe, Christopher (Noemi) Marks, Annette (Luke) Uhrig, Charlotte Marks, and Timothy (Meri) Marks; his grandchildren, Bella, Austin, Esme (Drake), (Katie - angel), Jonathan, Isabel, Matteo, Tatiana, Elias, Catalina, Sebastian, Philomena (aka Angelina), (Joseph - angel), Kylie, Cameron, Jaxon, Jaydalynne, Summer, Jordyn, and Connor; his great-grandchildren, Julian and Nora; his sisters, Kathy (Bob) Baker and Betty Marks; and his niece and nephews, Bryce, Clay, Steven, Kevin, and Misty.

A visitation and rosary will be held on Monday, October 5, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Lampasas, Texas, at 6 pm.  The funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church on Tuesday, October 6, at 10 am.  Graveside services will follow at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen at 2 pm with military honors.