Robert Lynn Acton

Bob Acton Obituary

Robert “Bob” Lynn Acton, an avid photographer, world traveler, and lover of birds, languages, and history, passed away peacefully on June 18th, 2024, at the age of 74. Born June 21st, 1949 to Charlotte and Leslie Acton, Bob was a proud 4th generation Arizonan and graduate of the University of Arizona who enjoyed researching his genealogy and the rich history of the state. 

After college, Bob joined the US Army as a Russian linguist and was stationed in four locations. Some of his favorite memories included attending the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California and being stationed at Cape Canaveral in Florida where he got to witness numerous Saturn V rocket launches.

Following his Army service, Bob attended graduate business school at Indiana University where he met his future wife, Beth. They quickly struck up a romance and married in 1977. They moved to Chicago, where they spent the next six years enjoying the city and advancing their careers. While in the city, Bob also attended DePaul University at night for his second graduate degree in computer science. 

Their careers took them to the Detroit area, where they had their first son, Daniel, in 1987. Their second son, Will, was born in 1992.  During the many wonderful years in Michigan, Bob spent his time forging lifelong friendships with his neighbors, volunteering as an assistant soccer coach and with his sons’ swim teams.

In the fall of 2007, the family moved to Dallas, where Daniel met his future wife, Ellen, while starting his career as an actuary, and Will made the decision to pursue a career in the Army. Bob was always very proud of his boys, usually telling friends and strangers alike how successful they were, how proud he was, and even sporting the odd shirt or hat that represented part of his children’s lives. His sons grew up and out of the house, but the family has remained close. Frequent trips were made to spend vacations and holidays together, the last in Hawaii. 

Bob maintained a lifelong passion for photography, capturing his adventures and love for nature, especially birds. Conversational in English, Spanish, and Russian, Bob enjoyed conversing with people in their native language when the situation arose. A beloved friend to many, he was known for his intellect, curiosity, and loyalty. Bob is survived by his wife, Beth, of 46 years, his son, Daniel, and his wife, Ellen, and his son Will and his wife, Melanie, and two grandchildren, Benton and Henry. His legacy will live on in the many beautiful photos he has of his family, his travels, and his birds.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in Bob’s memory to the Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory (SABO) directed to the Ash Canyon Bird Sanctuary: (https://sabo.org/support-sabo/make-a-donation/#!form/Donate)