Robert Lee Dillon was born with his twin sister Frances to Lee and Claudia Dillon In Portland, Oregon on April 8, 1920. He graduated from Reed College, served as a navigator in the Army Air Corp in WWII, then completed his Ph.d at Northwestern University in Chemistry. He married Kathleen Melville in 1947 and eventually they moved to Richland where he worked for GE and Battelle as a corrosion chemist and manager for 33 years. He had many interests, including fly fishing, history, music, literature, and travel. He developed his interest in nature as a Boy Scout, rising to the rank of Eagle, and was knowledgeable on subjects ranging from trees and birds to geology and meteorology. He and Kathleen traveled extensively to fish, to add to his wood collection, or to view the wild flowers in bloom. In 1989 they traveled to every county courthouse in Washington to celebrate the state centennial. He loved reading and had a vast and varied collection of books covering the myriad topics that interested him. Most of all, he was devoted to his wife of 53 years and his children. Part of him died when she died in March 2001. He rejoins her for eternity. Although he was a great lover of life, he loved being together with her most of all. Fittingly, he died while visiting her grave, as he so often had since her death. He leaves behind 3 children, Thomas, John, and Kathleen Flenniken, and seven grandchildren, who will sorely miss both of them. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Richland Public Library. A memorial service will be held 11am on Saturday, July 14 at Einan's Funeral Home.