FAYETTEVILLE — Robert “Bob” Wanslow,

93, of Fayetteville, Ark., passed away on March 20 surrounded by a loving family.

Bob was born on October 21, 1929 to Catherine Smith Wanslow and Buford Wanslow in Melrose, Mass. After Bob graduated from Ft. Smith High School in 1947, he went into the Army. He later studied Architecture at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. Bob received his Master’s Degree in Architecture at the University of Illinois at Champaign Urbana.

Bob enjoyed a 55-year career as an architect. His career took him from Kansas to Arkansas, from Saudi Arabia to Micronesia, and to the Gulf Coast, eventually returning back to Fort Smith, Ark., where he worked until he retired in 2013. Bob was an adventurer at heart and in 1988, he moved with his wife and children to Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands, where they lived until moving back to Arkansas in 2003.

Bob met his wife, Patricia Casey Wanslow in Ft. Smith, Ark., and they were married on May 24, 1974. They would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year. He loved and was loved by his wife, seven children (three from his first marriage)*, 11 grandchildren*, one great-grandchild*, many loving extended family members*, numerous grand-dogs and a grand-toad named Berry.

Bob had a curious and adventurous spirit, he loved to travel and never passed up an opportunity to visit historic sites and take the guided tour. He loved to read (with a highlighter in hand and dictionary by his side) about all aspects of history and science and had a habit of pushing Steven J. Gould on his children. He appreciated and supported local theater, spending years involved in the Ft. Smith Little Theater, directing, acting in, and supporting many productions.

Bob had a strong moral compass; he taught his children to live their lives with integrity and modeled it himself. He was honest to the core, following the rules, and doing the right thing by others, even when no one was looking. He was a proud participant in the political process, always hoping to see fairness and honesty demonstrated by people in power. He was a very special man and will be missed dearly.

Services will be postponed until a later date when his family living across the country can be together to celebrate a life well lived. Arrangements are with Benton County Memorial Park Funeral Home of Rogers.

* Children of Patricia Wanslow and Bob Wanslow: Scott Rhodes of St. Petersburg, Fla. (spouse Jennifer), Kathleen Zambon of San Diego, Calif. (husband Alex, children, Zack and Maya), Eleanor Hughes of Fayetteville, Ark. (husband John, children, Isaac and Ben), and Patrick Casey of Oakdale, Conn. (spouse Brittany, children, Ella, Gloria, and Finn).

*Children (of former wife Patricia Crawley): Paule Wanslow Baker of Fort Smith, Ark.; Leslie Wanslow Kneeshaw of Gilbert, Ariz. (husband Don); Julie Wanslow of Arlington, Va. (husband, Ken Shuster, and former husband, Russell Dobson); grandchildren, Andrea Callahan of Tulsa, Okla.; Gina Butler Forster of Panama City, Panama ( husband, Alex, and child [Bob’s great-grandchild] Rilo Forster); Hayley Baker Heaton of Fort Smith, Ark. (husband Ryan); Nicole Dobson of Arlington, Va.; * Nieces and Nephews: Malcolm Bliss III of Kirkwood, Mo.; Robert Bliss of Saint Peters, Mo.; Catherine Bliss Foy of Soquel, Calif.; half-brother, James Buford Wanslow of Gilroy, Calif. *Predeceased by sister, Lois Wanslow Bliss of Kirkwood, Mo.; great-grandchild, Riggs Forster of Alexandria, Va.