Robert L. Stanford "Bob", age 73, went home to his heavenly father June 25, 2010.

Bob was born November 19, 1936 in the Stanford farmhouse, Pottawattamie County, Oklahoma situated on land homesteaded by his paternal grandfather in 1902. He was the 3rd son of Leland and Jewel Stanford who had five boys. All of them to learn the joys of milking cows, hoeing peanuts on dry farm land and raising blue ribbon stock for the county fairs.

Bob attended a one-room school near their farm, sometimes riding a horse to school, if milking took too long or the boys missed the morning school bus.

After graduation from Dale High school in Pottawatamie County he attended Oklahoma State University graduating with majors in Entomology and Animal Husbandry. While at OSU he was a member of the Meat's judging team which placed 3rd internationally at the Kansas City Stock show in 1956. He graduated suma cum laude.

In 1958 he developed with his brothers and a friend the Sun-Vue Corporation in Plainview Texas a cotton consultant business.

At this time in his life, Bob and his wife, his college sweetheart, Mary Jane "Janie" Hessel, were busy raising their three children, serving in The First Methodist Church of Plainview, Texas and working in the community as well. Also, at this time Bob earned his Masters Degree in Entomology from Texas Tech University in 1968.

In 1969, Bob brought his knowledge, experience and energy to Arizona working for Bruce Church Corporation in Yuma, AZ for several years. Later he began farming cotton on the south mesa of Yuma County.

In 1981 Bob was named the Cotton Consultant of the Year, a recognition given by the National Cotton Farming magazine. The recognition was given to dedicated and astute cotton consultants highly regarded by both client and fellow workers who brought a higher level of professionalism and service to production technology in the area of insect control. Bob was the first to receive the recognition, which continues to acknowledge annually those worthy consultants.

In 1996 he and his wife retired to Flagstaff where Bob loved Flagstaff, but not retirement.

He is survived by his wife, Janie of 52 years. Their marriage produced a life committed to the LORD and their children Greg, who is married to Audrey living in Paradise Valley; Steve, who is married to Debbie, living in Scottsdale; and Gena who is married to Dan Jones and living in Las Vegas. His grandchildren are: Rob, Ryan and Logan Stanford, Kyle, Ashley and Megan Stanford and Katie, Kristen and Keely Jones.

A visitation will be Tuesday June 29th from 5 to 8pm at Norvel Owens Mortuary 914 E. Route 66. A celebration of his life will be held Wednesday June 30th at Christ Church of Flagstaff, 3475 East Soliere Avenue at 1pm.

Upon his arrival in heaven, Bob was greeted by his Savior Jesus Church as well as his family, his daddy and mother, his daughter-in-law Deirdre as well as many others.

Those wishing to recognize Bob and his contributions to life, may do so through a Memorial benefiting the New Horizons Christian Academy, an organization for young men that Bob believed in. Donations can made in Bob's name through the website www.azteenchallenge.org or mailed to PO Box 3296, Flagstaff, AZ 86003.