Robert G. Pontious, age 87, of O’Fallon, Ill., born November 18, 1936 in Belleville, Ill., to Fahren and Rosemond, nee Goedeke, Pontious, passed away August 23, 2024 at San Gabriel Assisted Living Center, Highland, Ill.
Bob grew up in Belleville, the oldest of seven children, and enlisted in the Air Force in 1955, serving until 1961. He earned his Electrical Engineering Degree from Washington University in St. Louis. Bob had a long and distinguished career with McDonnell Douglas-Boeing, where he was a devoted employee for 60 years, assigned primarily to the F-18 Hornet project. He had an adventurous spirit who enjoyed flying his plane, skiing, boating at Carlyle Lake and traveling with his family. He was a fun loving, self-taught handy man and built the family home in O’Fallon in 1977. Above all else, he was a loving husband, supportive father, dependable grandfather, beloved brother, who was always ready to lend a hand to others.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Ilene (Kenneth) Lindauer, Fay (Dave) George, in-laws Jim Akers, Leroy Pfingsten, and Mary Pontious.
Surviving are his wife Janet Louise, nee Gribler, Pontious, whom he married on February 2, 1974; daughter Cindy (Michael) Jansen; grandchildren Elaina and Chase; siblings Judith Akers, Gail Pfingsten, Karen (Ken) Bunch, and Dennis Pontious.
No formal services are planned. Online tributes may be posted at www.wfh-ofallon.com. Wolfersberger Funeral Home, O’Fallon, Ill., served the family.
