Robert Elliott Davis, Ph.D., P.E. Obituary (1930 - 2010)

Robert Elliott Davis passed away peacefully Friday, May 14, 2010. He was born in Salt Lake City on March 21, 1930 to Frances Gilroy Davis and Mervin Wesley Davis. He graduated from West High School where he was a cadet major in the Jr. ROTC. At the University of Utah, he graduated with an A. B. (with Honors) in Chemistry in 1951, and a Ph. D. in Analytical Chemistry in 1954. He was a member of Alpha Chi Sigma (chemistry), Sigma Pi Sigma (Physics Honorary), Sigma Xi (Research Honorary), and the American Chemical Society. Dr. Davis became a Registered Professional Chemical Engineer in California in 1961, and in Oklahoma in 1987. He authored or co-authored fourteen technical publications and was inventor or co-inventor on ten U. S. Patents. On July 6, 1955, Robert married Marie DeNiro, and they raised three daughters who blessed them with eight grandchildren and two great-granddaughters. Dr. Davis worked as an analytical research chemist at the M. W. Kellogg Company in Jersey City, New Jersey, and was a research supervisor when he left there in 1957 to go to work for American Potash & Chemical Corporation at Trona, California. He was promoted to Manager, Trona Research in 1967. In 1969 the Davis family moved to Oklahoma City when research facilities were consolidated there after American Potash was merged into Kerr-McGee Corporation. Robert held various research management positions at Kerr-McGee and was Manager, Technology Evaluation when he accepted early retirement in April of 1991. Robert was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, having served as a Ward Financial Clerk, Stake Clerk, Bishop’s Counselor, and Stake High Council member. He also served as an ordinance worker in the Jordan River Temple. Robert is survived by his wife, Marie, daughters Karen Cooprider (Jay) of Boxborough, Massachusetts, Beth Shipp of St. Charles, Missouri, and Denise Norman (Lloyd) of Edmond, Oklahoma, a sister Dorothy Wooten (Chapman) of Orem, Utah and a brother Dr. Allan Davis (Barbara) of Ormand Beach, Florida. The family thanks the staff of the Cardiac Rehab facility at St. Mark’s Hospital for the kind attention given to Robert during his long battle with congestive heart failure. Also, thanks to Alane and other members of Rocky Mountain Hospice. Funeral services will be held on Thursday May 20 at 11:00 a.m. at the Murray 25th Ward Chapel, 363 Vine Street, Murray, Utah. A viewing will be held at Jenkins Soffe Mortuary, 4760 South State on Wednesday May 19 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and at the church from 10:00 to 10:45 a. m. prior to the services. Interment will be at the Murray City Cemetery.