Robert Earl King

Robert (Bob) Earl King, a long-time resident of Bowie, MD passed away on Friday, January 17, 2020 after an extended illness. He was born in June 1955 to Earl Arnold King and Jeanne Marie Lemon. He married his college sweetheart, Valorie Jeanne Jackson, on St. Patrick's Day in March 1978 and is survived by her, their three children, and their grandson: son Robert Francis King (Solveig) of Kensington, MD and grandson Robert Graysen King, daughter Carol Elizabeth King (Derrick Schaffer) of Jefferson City, MO, and son Jonathan Edward King (Bowie, MD). He is also survived by his older brother, Richard E. King (Jennifer) of Glenn Dale, MD. 

Bob graduated in 1973 from Archbishop Carroll High school after which he attended the University of Maryland at College Park where he studied chemistry and computer science. He earned the Bachelor of Science degree in the Computer Sciences in 1979. Upon graduation, he went to work for Sperry Univac designing operating systems for airborne systems used on the P3-Orion platforms (defense industry) and additional software used in the Aegis Ballistic missile defense systems. He was surprised to learn that, 20+ years later one of his innovative pieces of software was still in use. Soon thereafter, he transferred within Sperry Univac to work on contracts supporting NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and became a specialist in developing and testing satellite operations control center software for numerous scientific satellites.  

After a few years, Bob transitioned to working on telemetry processing systems for Fairchild-Weston Systems (now L3) based in Sarasota, FL. His career then led him to working as a Networks and Systems Engineer in the intelligence community supporting various 3-letter agencies in the DC/MD/VA region. He was extremely proud of the contributions he and his co-workers at Northrop-Grumman Information Technology's Essex division made to the security of our nation. Bob officially retired from NGIT in 2019 after 5 years on medical disability.  

In his retirement, Bob remained active by developing new areas of expertise in the field of computing and attending industry conferences in Cybersecurity. He was a member of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). With the help of his son, Jonathan, he designed and built computer systems and networks supporting business and recreational computing in his residence. He shared his lifelong interest and expertise in computing and networks with his wife and three adult children who work in various aspects of the industry. He always had a new technology he wanted to explore and "play" with.   

As his disabilities progressed, Bob exchanged his motorcycle for a mobility scooter and Coachmen Leprechaun (Recreational Vehicle) allowing him to travel frequently with his wife to destinations in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Point Lookout State Park was a favorite destination filled with wildlife, forests and waterways, and Civil War history. In 2019, Bob had the opportunity for one final visit to Disney World and Fort Wilderness Campground. The highlight of this trip was an escorted backstage tour of Epcot that allowed him to, once again, explore the world of technology which he found so fascinating. 

Despite constant pain in his final years, Bob never gave up, never lost hope, and always looked forward to the next day keeping in touch with family and friends via email, messaging, and social media. He loved to chat and always had a kind word for those he met in his comings and goings. We were truly blessed to have him in our lives. 

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). Alleluia. Amen.

A memorial service for Bob will be held from on Saturday, April 18, 2020 from 1400-1600 hrs (2:00 pm to 4:00 pm) at Beall Funeral Home, 6512 NW Crain Hwy. (Rt 3 South), Bowie, MD. Interment will be private at the request of the family.  

In lieu of flowers, Bob requested that donations be made to one of the charities that he cared deeply about and supported financially himself: the American Red Cross, 4800 Mt. Hope Drive, Baltimore, MD  21215, or the Bowie Volunteer Fire Department, 6710 Laurel Bowie Rd, Number 990, Bowie, MD 20718 or the Kensington Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 222, Kensington, MD 20895 or the American Heart Association, PO Box 417005 Boston, MA 02241-7005.