Longtime Delta State University Math Professor Robert (Bob) H. Waller, 77, of Cleveland, Miss., passed away on Nov. 26, 2019, at Bolivar Medical Center.
He was born in Clarksdale on April 8, 1942, to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Harvey Waller Sr. He earned a master’s degree in education and was a math professor at the University of Mississippi, Delta State University, and Bayou Academy for a total of 43 years. Waller taught at Delta State from 1969 to 2005 and as an adjunct until 2013.
He enjoyed playing golf and cards. As a young man, Waller also enjoyed outdoor recreation and was a lifeguard for the Clarksdale Community Pool and Clarksdale Country Club.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Robert Harvey Waller Sr., who was MIA in WWII, and Marion Blanche Wagner Skelton and his stepfather, Bill Skelton (Jane).
He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Mary Helen Waller; daughters, Jen Waller (Paul Pearson) of Clarksdale and Tara Waller Wooley (Terry) of Olive Branch; step-daughter, Caroline Crawford Laster (David) of Cleveland; sister, Marion Deborah Skelton of Jackson; brother, Dana W. Skeleton (Sherry) of Terrell, TX; and grandsons, Tanner Wooley, Jon-Albert Wooley, and Crawford Laster.
Visitation and services were held on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, at Ray Funeral Home with Brother James Kellum and Father Kent Bowlds officiating. Burial is at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Clarksdale under the direction of Ray Funeral Home.
The pallbearers were Burrow Brooks, Jimmy Childers, HL Dilworth, David Laster, Tanner Wooley, and Terry Wooley. Honorary pallbearers were Jon-Albert Wooley, Crawford Laster, Frank Branch, Bobby Cirilli, Bill Coleman, Danny Kellum, Al Parrish, Paul Pearson, and Bobby Rawlinson.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital or a charity of choice.
Delta State will fly its flag at half-staff in honor of Waller. Dates are to be determined.
Adapted from an obituary prepared by Ray Funeral Home.
