Robert Blaine Held

WICHITA - Robert Blaine Held, 86, (Blaine to his family and family friends), was born November 28, 1928, at Newton.  He grew up in rural Kansas, in the Furley and Whitewater area. Growing up on a farm, he was always a farmer at heart. Before joining the Air Force, he worked on the farm with his father and brother.  Later, after college, he raised cattle as a sideline and then later in life started an Emu farm with his son.  His grandson’s also raised cattle and worked in agriculture and he was always excited to visit them and the farm. In the fall, he loved to go to the Kansas Corn Shucking Contests.  He took many of his family and friends to Oakley Kansas to learn how corn picking was done by hand.  But he enjoyed the friendships and fellowship at these events as much as the corn shucking.

Robert started his career after college at Allis Chalmers in Independence, Missouri.  At Allis Chalmers he was involved in the development and testing of the early self-propelled combines.  After a few years, he had an opportunity to join the engineering team at Cessna. Robert excelled at aircraft structural engineering during his 42 year career.  He led the Structural Integrity Engineering group in the development of pressurized cabin planes and Cessna’s business jet program.  He became known throughout the world as one of the premier structural engineers, serving on task groups and committees worldwide to improve aircraft structural design and safety.  

Robert’s work family (and they were certainly a family), always knew that Robert was always there to lead, teach, and provide wisdom and direction.  He was known as a leader by example.  He was an encourager, a good listener.  He loved working with people.  As a very accomplished engineer and manager, he was most proud of how he interacted with the people he worked with and how the team worked together, than the actual accomplishments.  Robert always had faith in people. He would challenge people, sometimes beyond what they thought they could accomplish, but he would always mentor them to make sure they were successful.   He was known for words of wisdom, but is fondly remember for a few: “Go slow and get there fast”;  “Don’t sweat the small stuff, and it’s all small stuff”; “Decide to Decide” and “ We all need to be flexible and have patience”.

Robert also taught Adult Sunday School at West Heights United Methodist.  This was a great pleasure in his life.  He loved teaching and learning as a group and loved the discussions and sharing that followed.  He was thought of by them as a wise, kind and gentle man.  He also worked with the Interfaith Ministries to help many less fortunate people in the Wichita area and Haiti.  He cared for others that he did not know as he did for those he did know.

Robert was known for his love of life and love of learning and teaching. He truly loved sharing his life and experiences with others.  This teaching became part of all areas of his life.  He taught his children and grandchildren many lessons that others would say are evident today if you know them.  There is no doubt that his love of life; caring for others; learning and teaching; his ability to listen and encourage; his character and conviction for doing the right thing; and his ability to make all people feel important; still live on in his children, grandchildren, family and friends.

Robert passed away on November 14, 2015, at Wesley Medical Center, surrounded by the love of his family.

His legacy includes: 5 children, Calvin Held (Toni) of Fayetteville, NC; Audrey Jones (Lynn) of Wichita; Matthew Held (Sandra) of San Angelo, TX; Emily Schulte (John) of Avon, IN; and Brian Held of Wichita; 16 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandchild.  Also his long-time friend and dance partner, Bonnie Chadick of Wichita; a sister Nell Endsley (Dick) of Wichita; and sister-in-law, Lois Held of Halstead.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Ollie and Gertrude (Smith) Held; and siblings, Jim Held and Helen Hamant (Alvin).

A Visitation with family and friends will be held from 1:00 – 8:00 p.m., Thursday evening at Lamb Funeral Home, Whitewater.  The Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, November 20, 2015, at West Heights United Methodist Church, 745 N Westlink, Wichita.  A Committal Service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Friday, at the Green Valley Cemetery, rural Furley.   Memorial Funds have been established for the Robert B. Held Endowed Engineering Scholarship at Wichita State University or the ASAP Haiti Project, in care of Lamb Funeral Home, 120 S Main, Whitewater, KS, 67154.  Online condolences may be left at: www.zeinferfuneralhomes.com.