Robert J. Mickey

Robert J. "Bob" Mickey passed away on at age 89 on January 26th, 2023 from complications of pneumonia. Born in 1933 in Humboldt, KS, to Joseph and Mary Mickey, Bob and his younger brother William (Bill) grew up in Ottawa, KS. Bob attended the University of Kansas where he graduated with a BS in geology. After graduation he was commissioned into the US Army as a 2nd Lt and trained to be an anti-aircraft officer. By pure luck, he served during the gap between the Korean and Vietnam wars, and was released from active duty after 6 months of training. After his military service he joined Phillips Petroleum as a staff geologist and worked in Oklahoma City. After 3 years (since he was single) he was "voluntold" to join the international division and sent to Calgary, where he learned the true meaning of cold weather. After a year in Canada he was sent to Spain where he split time between Madrid and the Canary Islands, working on projects in Spain and North Africa. It was in Madrid where he met his wife, Susan Dougherty of Sioux Falls, SD on a blind date in 1963 and they were married six months later. At the time, Susan was teaching high school Home Economics for the US Air Force at Torrejon Air Force Base just outside of Madrid. After 5 years in Spain, he, Susan and son Kevin moved to London, England where their second son Brian was born. After five years working to develop the North Sea oil fields he was transferred to Caracas, Venezuela for 3 years and then to Lima, Peru for 4. While in Peru he went on a 6 week exploration trip in the rain forest, during which he grew a beard, that he has had ever since. In 1976 he was reassigned to Madrid, where the family lived for 6 years, by far their longest assignment. After Madrid the family was lucky again and assigned to London for a 2nd tour, this one lasting 4 years. In 1986 Phillips finally recalled him to the home office in Bartlesville and he and Susan settled in Tulsa. In 1988 he struck out on his own as a consultant to projects in China and Burma before retiring from the oil business in 1992. Although Bob was a company man during his years with Phillips, he turned down more than one "career enhancing" assignment that would have disrupted/separated the family. After retirement he indulged his love of gardening and became a certified Master Gardner through the OSU extension program in Tulsa. Through the Master Gardner program he helped residents design and plant their gardens and yards with plants that are capable of thriving in Oklahoma's 100+ degree temperature swings. As a proud Jayhawk he celebrated their proud basketball tradition and mourned their futility on the football field. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Susan, and sons Kevin and Brian.

Robert J. Mickey

June 2, 1933 - January 26, 2023