Obituary of Robert Duane Connell

CONNELL, Robert Duane It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband and father, Robert Duane "Bob" Connell on August 3, 2016 in Tucson. His last two years were compromised by heart and lung conditions. Bob was born on May 17, 1936 in Los Angeles, California to John Jeremiah and Blanche Myren Connell. Bob had a fulfilling career at General Dynamics in Pomona, California beginning as a draftsman and progressing to Program Director. After working a full day, he attended night school and graduated from West Coast School of Engineering. Following General Dynamics' purchase by Hughes, then Raytheon, Bob continued to work as an International Program Director until his retirement from Raytheon in 2006. He was very proud of the fact that he worked for the same company for 50 years. Bob was an avid outdoorsman who loved the mountains and fly fishing. He was a voracious reader and enjoyed working his cross word puzzles every morning. Bob was constantly confounded by his cranky computer and cell phone and their endless passwords. He was a proud member of Bill W.'s organization. Survived by Mariannne, his wife of 53 years, Bob was a devoted husband. He was a loving, involved father to daughters, Kathryn Baggarly (James), Kelley Pitre (Michael), and Michelle Ritz (Jason). He received great joy from his nine grandchildren and was exceedingly proud of them: Robert, William, Ned and Nora Baggarly; John and Katherine Pitre and Grace, Liam and Olivia Ritz. In addition to his immediate family, Bob leaves behind brother-in-law, Dr. Robert Ludwig, wife Lois (Bunkie) and their children, Christine Brown (Tom), Michael Ludwig (Amy) and Eric Ludwig (Beth) and their respective children. A Funeral Mass will be held in the Chapel at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church on Friday, August 12, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Bob's name to St. Thomas the Apostle's St. Vincent de Paul Society and the Casa Maria Soup Kitchen. Arrangements by ADAIR DODGE CHAPEL.