Robert Lee "Bob" Swain of Newport News peacefully went home to be with his Lord on January 25, 2026 at the age of 92.

Bob was born on March 18, 1933 to Samuel Alfred Swain and Sarah Charlotte Hammond Swain in Memphis, Tennessee.  He attained the rank of an Eagle Scout before graduating from Lanier High School in Macon, Georgia.   Bob graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology in 1954 with a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering, after which he became a Petroleum Engineer for ESSO Standard Oil Company. He began his NASA career as an Aero-Space Technologist in 1955, directing the development of third- and fourth-stage solid rocket motors for the Scout launch vehicle.

During 1958 he met his lifelong sweetheart, Sandra L. "Sandy" Motley, on a blind date, whom he courted until she graduated from college in 1960.  They married that year and settled in Newport News, where he lived for the remainder of his life with the exception of one year when the family relocated to Boston. Due to his record of distinguished service at NASA, Bob was selected to participate in the Sloan Fellowship Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, during 1970-1971, where he earned a M.S. degree in Management. His children remember fondly the huge amounts of snow there that they had not been accustomed to seeing living in Virginia.

Bob enjoyed various roles at NASA over his forty-year career, including serving as Assistant Chief of the Atmospheric Environmental Sciences Division, Chief of Systems Engineering Division, Manager of the National Transonic Facility, and finally Director of Systems Engineering and Operations. The author of many technical papers, Bob holds a patent on a spherical rocket motor, which has been widely applied in the U.S. space program.  He was honored with numerous awards throughout his career; among these are NASA Engineer of the Year, NASA's Outstanding Leadership Medal, the Presidential Ranks of Meritorious Executive and Distinguished Executive.

Despite his many significant career accomplishments, he was first and foremost a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.  Bob and Sandy were blessed with two children, Susan Montgomery (Monty) and Robert "Rob" Swain, Jr. (Ashley); four grandchildren, Caitlin Hubler (Henry), John "Logan" Montgomery, McKenna Swain, and Emerson Swain; and one great granddaughter, Charlotte Hubler.  Although Sandy predeceased Bob in April 2023, we are confident they are now reunited.

After being a dedicated caregiver to his wife for several years before her passing, Bob received tremendous care from various in-home caregivers and hospice givers during the latter few years of his life.  The family recognizes them and thanks them deeply for their devoted and loving care, especially Esther Rhen and Janice Mitchell, with whom he had very close bonds.

Bob was a long-time and beloved member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Newport News, serving over 50 years in positions as Deacon, Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, and choir member, being well-known for his resounding bass voice.

A service to honor and celebrate Bob's life will be held at Immanuel Baptist Church on Friday, January 30, 2026 at 11:00 AM. Prior to the service, the family will receive friends at the Church from 10:00-11:00 AM.

Burial will be private at a later date.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorial gifts be made to Immanuel Baptist Church.

Arrangements by W. J. Smith & Son Funeral Home.