Robert Eugene Chaffee
March 8, 1942 - January 14, 2026
Robert "Bob" Eugene Chaffee, affectionately known as "Chaf," was born to Earl Wayne Chaffee and Eleanor Ethelyn Hasseburg Chaffee Edens on March 8, 1942, in Ochelata, Oklahoma. At the age of two, they lost Earl Wayne in a tragic accident, and Robert "Chub" Edens became the only father Bob knew. Bob was raised and attended school in Wann, Copan and Barnsdall, and was the valedictorian of the Dewey Bulldogger class of 1960. That summer, he married his high school sweetheart, Frances Carol Blenden, who became the mother of his four children.
After high school, he began a 38-year career at Phillips 66 Petroleum Company, where his natural gift for computers opened doors of opportunity in the budding computer programming field. He quickly moved from delivering computer mail into technical programming and then systems programming, where the technical elite worked on the operating systems of the mainframe computers. He was a pioneer in communication systems to connect remote computers. Retiring from there in 1998, "Chaf" continued to lead a very active life and enjoyed a wide range of sports and hobbies including: hunting, fishing, tennis, fast-pitch softball, waterskiing, golf and archery. He rode and worked on motorcycles alongside his younger brother Tony Chaffee. In fact, Bob was well known for being able to fix just about anything.
On May 19, 2002, he married his country and western dance partner, Mary Alice McWhorter Epperson and gained 3 adult Epperson children. Bob and Mary Alice enjoyed traveling in their RV and were active members of their church communities together.
During his life, Bob loved to read and study the Bible, and collected many different translations. He and Mary Alice loved to attend Bible conferences together. Bob was always ready for Biblical theology or eschatology discussion with anyone interested. He even led his younger brother, Tony to salvation.
He was an avid sports fan; playing basketball, coaching softball, cheering for his favorite football teams (Dallas Cowboys, OU and OSU). Some of his favorite moments included cheering on his children and grandchildren at their sports competitions.
Preceded in death by his parents and sisters Roberta Seagraves, Helen "Pete" Woody, Anita Dyer.
Survived by wife of 23 years, Mary Alice Epperson Chaffee, his children Lisa Lippert (Troy), Viki Chaffee Hanke (Terry), Bobby Chaffee (Kerri), Gena Hobbs (Nick), his Epperson children, Lori Shelton (Rick), Mike Epperson, Julie Gee (Shawn).
Grandchildren Mathew Burnett, Meagan Novak, Ben Burnett, Erica Lippert, Riley Hobbs, Brooks Hobbs, Keiralise Hobbs, Taryn Chaffee, Averi Chaffee, Harper Chaffee, Kyllee Perdomo, Korrie Moore, Taylor Moos, Brody Gee, Austin Epperson, Abbie Anderson, Doug Shelton, Bryan Shelton, Kenny Shelton, and Robert Shelton.
Brothers, Tony Chaffee (Glenda), Howard "Doc" Edens (Patrica), Bill Edens (Jerry), and sister, Ann Chaney. Hosts of very dear nieces and nephews, cousins, great grandchildren, friends, and his golf crew, "The Dorks".
Services are under the direction of Carter Davis and the Davis Family Funeral Home & Crematory - Walker Brown Chapel. Online condolences and remembrances may be shared at www.DavisFamilyFuneralHome.com
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