Robert Erving Ring

On October 14, 2024, Robert Erving Ring passed away peacefully, surrounded by love and family. Bob (as he preferred to be called) was born on September 25th, 1935, in Salem, Massachusetts, and adored his parents, Mary (Murray) and Stanton Elliott Ring. The oldest of eight children, Bob grew up right on the water, with fond memories of digging clams and being forced to eat lobster because hamburger meat was too expensive. Bob graduated from high school in Salem in 1953 and joined the Air Force in 1954. Stationed in Ardmore, Oklahoma, he met Shirley Givens and quickly became enamored with her wit, brains, and beauty. Bob and Shirley soon fell in love and were married on June 21, 1958. After Shirley’s graduation, the couple moved to Fort Worth, Texas where she worked as a teacher and helped put Bob through college. He graduated in 1963 from TCU with a physics degree. Bob worked as an electronics engineer with E-Systems in Garland, Texas, eventually transferring to the Greenville, Texas location to which he commuted his entire career. Bob’s career highlights include installing radar arrays on Air Force One and working on the Airborne Command Post project. In November of 1963, Bob and Shirley welcomed son David Robert, and in March of 1966, daughter Linda Michele. Bob was a proud, involved father even with the many hours at work and long commute to Greenville. He loved his children beyond measure, and along with his wife, made it a priority to raise them to love and respect others. Bob enjoyed countless trips to visit Shirley’s family in Ardmore, Oklahoma. He loved fishing and swimming in Lake Murray, playing golf, and developing a tremendously important relationship with Shirley’s parents. Bob always credited Guy and Velma with making him a better person. In 1978, Bob worked on a project in Redmond, Washington for almost a year. He brought the family along and it was truly wonderful to spend a summer out of the Texas heat and witness the immense beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Upon their return to Texas, the Ring family attended First Presbyterian Church of Garland, where Shirley and Bob served as Elders and volunteered delivering Meals on Wheels and engaging in community outreach. Bob was overjoyed to become a grandfather in 1994 and delighted in his deep, lifelong bond with granddaughters Ryan, Elena, Audrey, and Ciara, who grew up with his influence in their daily lives, which consisted of shoulder rides, Indian Princess campouts, free babysitting, father-daughter dances, and countless, shameless corny jokes. In retirement, Bob enjoyed several cruises and scenic road tripping with Shirley, catching up on modern-day physics books, and playing golf with David and his son-in-law Joe. Above all, Bob was happiest spending quality time and laughing with Shirley, his children, and his grandchildren. In recent years, Bob lovingly supported Shirley throughout her 12-year journey with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. After she passed in February, he moved into independent living at Brookdale Club Hill in Garland, where he quickly started making new friends and celebrated his 89th birthday in style. We will deeply miss his baritone voice, easy laugh, strong hugs, abiding love, and sincere gratitude for a wonderful life. Bob is survived by his son David Ring (Dana) of Plano, and daughter Linda Peña (Joseph) of Garland, as well granddaughters Ryan Tatom (Cody) of Baton Rouge, Elena Ring of Dallas, Audrey Ring of Carrollton, Ciara Peña of Colorado Springs, nephew Will (Carla) Givens of Chicago, niece Jennifer Grant of Rowlett, step-grandchildren Gabrielle Peña of Phoenix and Lucy and Max Withers of Plano, and step-great-grandchildren, Edgar Jr. and Alexandra Flores of Phoenix. May he rest in eternal peace.

Robert Erving Ring

September 25, 1935 - October 14, 2024