Graveside services for Robert Bob Lawrence Alvis, 81 year-old Albuquerque, New Mexico resident, will be held Saturday, January 9, 2016, 10:00 A.M. at Greenwood Cemetery with Rev. Lynn Brack officiating. Services are under the direction of Lockstone Funeral Home of Weatherford, Oklahoma.

Bob passed away unexpectedly, December 24, 2015, after a brief illness. He was born December 19, 1934 on the family farm near Thomas, Oklahoma to Elmer Phillip Alvis, Sr. and Ruth Opal (Ballew) Alvis.

His father died when he was eight years old and to help support the family, he started farming at age 13 and continued until he was 22. In 1956, he began attending Southwestern State College, presently Southwestern Oklahoma State University, studying pre-engineering. While there, he met his future bride, Dorothy May Cermak, and they were married on August 29, 1959. He received a BS in mechanical engineering in 1960 from the University of Oklahoma. Graduating in the top of his class, Bob received an offer to be a part of Sandia National Labs Technical Development program. He accepted the position and moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1960, where he worked part time while attending the University of New Mexico, obtaining his masters degree in mechanical engineering in 1962. He continued to work at Sandia for his entire career as a project leader, appointed Distinguished Member of Technical Staff, and later department supervisor. After 37 years, he retired in 1997.

Bob was a long time member of Asbury and St. Pauls United Methodist churches, and an active member in the Gideons International. Bob kept active farming his vegetable garden and tending to many fruit trees, along with wheat farming interests in Oklahoma. He treasured time with family and friends, enjoying gatherings and attending sports, music, and academic events involving his grandsons.

Bob is survived by his wife Dorothy, of 56 years, son John and wife Jennifer, grandsons Tyler, Timothy, and Chad, all of Albuquerque, sister Carol Reimer, sister-in-law Pauline Alvis, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Nellie Jackson and brother Elmer Alvis, Jr.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to St. Pauls UMC memorial funds or to the Gideons International.